Travel
Fallen trees and flooding cause disruption as hurricane remnants batter Scotland
Fallen trees and flooding have caused travel disruption to commuters as the remnants of Hurrican Ernesto batter Scotland.
As much as 18 days’ worth of rain was expected to fall within 72 hours accompanied by strong winds with gusts of up to 60mph.
A Met Office weather warning for rain covering the west of the country was in force from 11am on Wednesday, with a wind alert coming into effect at 1am on Thursday.
Areas affected by heavy rain – including Glasgow, Ayrshire and other places in western Scotland – are likely to see 75-100mm of rainfall over the course of two days, though more is forecast over higher ground.
Commuters on the A75 are facing disruption after two incidents of fallen trees blocking the major road, with the road at Cardoness closed in both directions.
Traffic Scotland said the Trunk Road Incident Support Service (TRISS) are on the scene after 9am with traffic heavy and diversions in place via the A712 at New Galloway and the A762 to Gatehouse.
Earlier on Thursday, another fallen tree between Cree town and Auchenlarie caravan park blocked the A75.
Meanwhile on the M8 drivers have been faced with flooding at junction 19 heading east towards Glasgow’s Bothwell Street as the road was restricted.
Crews are said to be on site to clear the water.
Flooding also hit the A78 heading north at Seamill between Yerton Brae and Portencross at rush hour on Thursday before being cleared before 10am.
ScotRail services between Glasgow and Wemyss Bay were cancelled after a tree fell onto the tracks.
The transport provider said a tree was blocking the line between Port Glasgow and Whinhill with services at rush hour across that route impacted.
The A83 Rest and Be Thankful, previously hit with a number of issues such as landslips, was opened on Thursday morning via the Old Military Road to allow drivers to travel safe.
The Met Office said: “A spell of very strong southwesterly winds will occur during the early hours of Thursday, easing from the west during the morning.
“Gusts of 50mph are likely fairly widely with some gusts of 60mph in exposed locations, including roads and bridges in north Wales, as well as roads passing over high ground in northern England and southern Scotland.
“These gusts will be strong enough to blow over a few trees, given that they are currently in full leaf.”
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