Tag: travel disruption

Storm Isha: Scotland lashed by high winds

RED WEATHER WARNING ISSUED FOR NORTH EAST SCOTLAND

Storm Isha has brought high winds and heavy rain across Scotland, combining with snow melt and leading to the risk of flooding.

Janine Hensman, Flood Duty Manager for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), said yesterday: “Snow melt and widespread bands of rain across the country are expected to cause localised flooding.

“Rivers are starting to respond to rainfall so we expect more localised flooding from rivers, sea and surface water.

“It’s likely to disrupt travel and transport, and potential flooding could hamper efforts to respond to wind damage from #StormIsha.

“Stay up to date with local warnings in force now for your area. Our three-day Scottish Flood Forecast shows the conditions that are expected further ahead. Follow Met Office updates for weather impacts.

“The strong winds combined with high tides and large waves may also result in wave overtopping and flooding of causeways, promenades, properties and roads along the southern and western coasts. Take care on exposed coasts.

“We have issued Regional Flood Alerts and Flood Warnings as our rivers respond to the heavy rain and snow earlier in the week. We continue to work with the Met Office to monitor the situation 24/7.

“People living, working and travelling in affected areas are advised to consider any steps they need to take now to be prepared and stay safe, and to take extra care if they need to travel.

“We advise people to sign up to Floodline to receive free updates for where they live, or travel through, directly to their phone. People can also check our flood updates for all the latest information and the three-day Scottish Flood Forecast to see what conditions are expected further ahead.” 

Gusts of 74 miles per hour were recorded in Edinburgh during the night and Police Scotland is advising commuters to avoid all but essential travel:

“Due to the amount of debris caused by #StormIsha, short notice road closures, localised flooding and other issues are expected, in addition to the high winds. As a result, the police advice is to Avoid Travel = travel only if absolutely necessary.”

A Scotland-wide Yellow Warning remains in place until midday today.

Scotrail has suspended all train services until after this morning’s rush hour.

FLOODING

Be Prepared

  • Check the Scottish Flood Forecast - developed in partnership with the Met Office, it provides the earliest indication possible of when and where flooding is expected over the next three days, and whether the source is from rivers, surface water or the sea.    
  • Sign up to Floodline and receive free flood messages letting you know when the area where you live, work or travel through is at risk of flooding.  
  • Create a flood plan which includes knowing how to shut off your gas, water and electricity supplies.  
  • Consider installing flood protection at your home.

Stay safe

  • Follow the advice of emergency responders.
  • Don’t walk through flood water – 15cm of fast flowing water could be enough to knock you off your feet and hazards can be hidden under the water.    
  • Drive with care, and do not travel through deep fast flowing water. It only takes 30cm of fast flowing water to move an average family sized car.    
  • If you’re walking beside rivers be extra careful of wet footpaths and small watercourses.    
  • Stay away from flooded promenades and crashing waves around the coast.
  • Consider deploying flooding protection products if required.

Stay informed

What’s the difference between a Flood Alert and a Flood Warning? 

  • We use forecast weather information provided by the Met Office combined with our own observation of rainfall and river levels and advanced hydrological modelling to provide advance warning of flooding.    
  • Regional Flood Alerts are early advice that flooding is possible across a wider geographical area. The purpose of the Alerts is to make people aware of the risk of flooding and be prepared. We normally issue them 12 to 24 hours in advance of the possibility of flooding.    
  • Flood Warnings are more locally specific and are issued for areas where we have gauges on rivers to measure the exact river height. They are issued at shorter notice when we are more certain that a specific area will be affected.  

The winds will gradually ease through the day on Monday. Overnight into Tuesday will be a calmer interlude for most, with lighter winds and fewer showers in the north for a time.

This does not last for long, however, as low pressure brings further wet and windy weather from the west on Tuesday morning, spreading eastwards across the UK though the day.  

Storm Gerrit: Still some disruption but the worst is over

A meeting of the Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGoRR) – chaired by Justice Secretary and Minister for Resilience Angela Constance and attended by a number of Ministers – was held last night to ensure appropriate measures are in place to deal with the impacts of Storm Gerrit.

Met Office yellow warnings for rain, wind and snow were live until midnight across much of Scotland last night and a warning for wind and snow remained in place across Shetland until 06:00am today (Thursday 28 December).

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) have also issued a number of flood alerts and warnings across the country.

Some train services and ferry services were cancelled and a major incident was declared by Police Scotland on the A9 at Dalnaspidal, which is now fully reopened between Inverness and Perth.

Winter weather response plans are in full effect with teams working hard across the transport network to restore services and routes as far as possible – with improvements in weather conditions anticipated today.

The storm has also left some homes across Scotland without power and Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) are working to restore power where it is safe to do so.

Ms Constance said: “Following a combination of rain, wind and snow across the country, I have chaired a meeting of SGoRR to ensure that we’re acting as quickly and safely as possible to mitigate the impacts of Storm Gerrit.

“We know that there are areas across the country where people are without power and SSEN are working to restore this where they can. Due to the strong winds, flooding and snow, it is not always safe for SSEN to access areas for repair. Local resilience partnerships are working to put in place welfare support for individuals who may be without power overnight.

“There have already been a number of disruptions across the transport network. It’s good to see that the incident on the A9 has been cleared and the road has now reopened but people should pass with care.

“Some roads remain closed with operatives working to reopen them as quickly as possible.

“Some railway lines will remain closed tomorrow (Thursday) morning as they require safety inspections within daylight hours. People should be mindful that there will still be areas where surface water continues to cause disruption – so we would urge everyone to plan their journeys in advance, exercise caution on the roads by driving appropriately to the conditions, and follow the latest travel advice at traffic.gov.scot.

“The Scottish Government’s resilience committee will continue to monitor the situation overnight and into Thursday, and keep Ministers fully updated.

“Advice and information for the public is available at Ready.Scot and the Scottish Government will continue to work with all relevant agencies to closely monitor the storm and its impacts and ensure support is provided to those affected.”

Joanne Maguire Scotrail’s Chief Operating Officer said: “ScotRail and Network Rail teams have been working flat out to keep people moving where possible, but we have faced extreme conditions in different parts of the country which has resulted in significant disruption. The safety of our staff and passengers is our top priority.

“We will be working overnight and early in the morning to inspect the railway and restore services, but disruption is expected to continue into Thursday. Our advice to passengers is to check before travelling via the ScotRail website or app.”

Coronation disruption in city centre: public urged to plan ahead

Temporary road closures will be in place this week across Edinburgh’s city centre as the city prepares to host a major ceremonial event to mark the Coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla.

On Wednesday (5 July) the King will be presented with the Honours of Scotland (Scottish Crown Jewels) at a national service of thanksgiving at St Giles’ Cathedral following processions on the Royal Mile.

The Council is working with the Scottish Government and Police Scotland to safely accommodate the large crowds of people expected to line the city’s streets in celebration of this historic occasion.

Residents and visitors are being urged to plan ahead and avoid any non-essential travel in and around the Old Town on Wednesday afternoon. People should check the Council website, which is being updated with details of road closures and other public transport information.

People can also follow the relevant transport agencies, Scottish Government and Royal Household for up-to-date event information.

Lord Lieutenant Robert Aldridge said: “The eyes of the world will be upon us once again as we mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla. I’m quite sure it will be another proud day for the Capital.

“Given the scale and significance of these ceremonial events, we have to be prepared for disruption across the city, but particularly in the Old Town. We’re working with our partners to manage this as best we can and to keep residents, businesses and visitors updated on the events.

“For those who wish to enjoy the Royal and People’s Processions, I urge you to please plan ahead and keep an eye on our website and social media channels for the latest advice and guidance.”

⚠️POLICE have announced that temporary airspace restrictions will be in place from 7am Monday 3 July until 4pm Friday 7 July in Edinburgh city centre ‘for security and your safety’.

Restrictions include drones.

You must check if it is legal to fly in your area.

For more information, visit: https://ow.ly/KP0750OXgiE

For general advice on airspace restrictions, visit: https://www.caa.co.uk/drones/airspace-and-restrictions/

For the most up-to-date information, visit:

the city council’s dedicated webpages

www.gov.scot and 

www.royal.uk.

The @edintravel traffic information team will be carefully monitoring the city’s roads, sharing the latest information on disruption and diversions on Twitter.

See also Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams.

#RoyalWeek

Be prepared for Road Works when travelling to RIE and New Sick Kids

If you are travelling to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh or Royal Hospital of Children and Young People for an appointment, please be aware of road works which are due to commence Monday 17 October 2022, for 24 Weeks as this will affect your travel time to your appointment.

The road works will result in 2-way Temporary Lights on Old Dalkeith Road near Little France Campus. The lights will move as work progresses from the campus up towards Shawfair Park and Ride/Train station. This will take a break for 2 weeks from Friday 23 December 2022 until Friday 6 January 2023.

We have been informed that this will result in a minimum of 20 minutes delay up to 50 minutes at peak times.

It has been suggested that people travelling to these sites should instead travel via Gilmerton Road, Edinburgh which runs parallel to Dalkeith Road, to access the Campus, as this may limit time impact.

Local school closures tomorrow

There will be significant travel disruption along the route of the Queen’s coffin on the afternoon of Tuesday 13 September.

Police Scotland will be putting in place numerous road closures from 1pm which will cause significant disruption across the city.

As a result, a number of schools and early years centres along the route will close early from 12 noon to allow pupils and staff time to return home safely before the Police Scotland closures are in place.

We apologise for any inconvenience this will cause. However, you will appreciate these are exceptional times.

All schools will open on Wednesday 14 September as normal.

The schools and early years centres affected are:

Early years centres

  • Cammo Kindergarten
  • Fox Covert Early Years Centre
  • Fox Covert Kindergarten
  • Lauriston Kindergarten

Primary schools

  • Blackhall
  • Clermiston
  • Cramond
  • Davidson’s Mains
  • East Craigs
  • Ferryhill
  • Flora Stevenson
  • Fox Covert
  • Hillwood
  • Stockbridge
  • St Andrew’s Fox Covert

High schools

  • Broughton
  • Craigmount
  • St Augustine’s
  • St Thomas of Aquin’s
  • The Royal High School

Special schools

  • Rowanfield
  • Oaklands

Stockbridge Shuttle plugs the gap

SGN INFO ABOUT THE STOCKBRIDGE SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE:

Normal buses are unable to travel along Raeburn Place, so the Lothian bus service isn’t running westbound along Comley Bank Road and Raeburn Place as originally planned. So …

‘To ensure that transport is still available westbound along the road as planned, we are supplying a free bus service (from 18 February) which will be available until we’ve completed our work.

‘The Stockbridge Shuttle will run between 8.30am and 5.30pm Tuesday-Saturday and will visit each stop on the route three times an hour. Please see the map for more information.’