Storm Isha Wreaks Havoc on UK Travel, Leading to Mass Rail Cancellations in Scotland
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- Cameron Palmer
- January 22, 2024
- Weather
The storm-force winds caused damage to overhead power lines in the north of Scotland, leading to power outages for over 20,000 customers of Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution.
SSEN says that, as of 8.45 am, supplies have been successfully restored to more than 17,500 customers, with 10,500 properties currently off supply. Teams face challenges in reconnecting customers due to widespread damage and difficulties in reaching faults caused by fallen trees and road closures, so full restoration is not expected on Monday.
The garden shed debris obstructed the line at Bellgrove station in Glasgow, while a tree falling on overhead wires in Gartcosh, Cumbernauld, caused a minor fire. Due to the strong winds and heavy rain, several incidents occurred in different parts of Scotland. For instance, more than 10 trees fell on the line between Garrowhill and Easterhouse near Glasgow, which led to the damage of overhead lines.
Severe Weather Disruptions Impact Rail and Road Travel Across the UK
In another incident, a wall and fence were blown onto the Glasgow Queen Street station line. Moreover, the River Tay breached safety limits at the Dalguise Viaduct on the Highland Mainline, which forced the overnight security guard to evacuate the site.
There are likely to be delays and changes to services for East Midlands Railway due to unforeseen circumstances. Additionally, passengers traveling north of Newcastle via LNER trains will experience disruption until noon.
Avanti West Coast also warned of changes and delays on Monday. Passengers are advised not to attempt travel between Preston and Scotland until services are expected to resume at 9 a.m. Please plan your journey accordingly and contact the relevant train operators for more information.
Several roads were closed overnight due to various incidents. Traffic Scotland reported that stretches of the M9 and M74 were among the affected roads. Additionally, an overturned lorry led to the closure of the A1 southbound at Thorntonloch.
High winds led to the closure of some major bridges and roads. The Tay Road Bridge, M48 Severn Bridge, and the A66 in Durham and Cumbria between the A1(M) and the M6 were closed due to the strong winds. In addition, the Humber Bridge, A19 Tees Flyover, and A628 Woodhead Pass in Derbyshire were closed to high-sided vehicles to ensure the safety of drivers and prevent any possible accidents.
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