Flooding and weather warnings bring Hogmanay travel issues with trains cancelled and roads submerged

Travellers are facing severe disruption on Hogmanay by inclement weather conditions that have left parts of Scotland’s railway network impassable.

Landslips in Fife and Cumbria led to some services being cancelled or delayed while the Edinburgh Waverley – Glasgow Queen Street route was out of action for several hours due to severe flooding.

Forecasters said the deadly “bomb cyclone” currently battering parts of the United States was to blame for torrential rains in parts of the country.

Two yellow weather warnings remain in place on Saturday, while two others are likely to stay issued for New Year’s Day.

ℹ️📢 Due to flooding and various speed restrictions implemented at different locations across the network, we are unable to operate the following routes at this time. /1
— ScotRail (@ScotRail) December 31, 2022

ScotRail said some of the previously closed lines had reopened, but urged customers to check the latest information before heading out on journeys.

“Although the lines are open, it will take some time to get trains and crew back into position so please check the app for the latest service info,” the firm said.

Hamilton Central to Airbles was among the lines to reman closed on Hogmanay due to concerns over rising water levels at the Camps Viaduct.

Scotland’s environment protection agency (SEPA) had ten regional flood alerts, 29 local flood warnings and a severe flood warning in place for Dumfries on Friday.

Impacts across the country were significant, with levels at the River Nith being the highest ever recorded, and higher than Storm Frank in 2015 and flooding in December 1982.

The organisation’s flood duty manager, Marc Becker, said: “Across Friday we saw Scotland hit with yet another significant flood event, with Southern and central Scotland heavily impacted this time in particular.

“This comes after recent flooding impacts in the East and North-East of Scotland in November. What made Friday’s event notable was not only the intense nature of the rainfall, but also the rapid and extreme rises in river levels which led, in the Nith, to the highest ever recorded river levels.

“Whilst across Hogmanay and New Year’s Day we’re seeing an improving picture, we’ll see rain, sleet and snow on higher grounds, particularly across the Bells.

“With residual impacts on the ground, particularly in Southern and Central Scotland, we’re encouraging people living, working and travelling to remain vigilant, steer clear of flood water and follow the latest information from SEPA, transport authorities and Police Scotland.”

The M8 westbound between junctions two and three in West Lothian was affected by flooding, while the A720 was closed at Dreghorn.

In North Ayrshire, the A78 between Hunterston and Portencross was closed for several hours and shut in both directions at Inverkip.

Yellow weather warnings for ice and snow have been put in place across Hogmanay and New Year’s Day for parts of North and central Scotland.

Met Office forecasters have warned of treacherous conditions in Aberdeenshire and the Highlands from around 6pm on December 31 to 11am on January 1.

Freezing conditions are also expected on the outskirts of Edinburgh – where thousands are set to attend the traditional Hogmanay street party on its return after a three-year absence – and just outside Glasgow from 10pm.