UPDATE: The line has reopened but a reduced speed is being enforced and cancellations may still occur, ScotRail warned.
SCOTRAIL has warned that train services could be delayed or cancelled after a key rail route was closed due to “heavy flooding”.
On Sunday afternoon, the operator advised that the railway between Stonehaven and Aberdeen had been forced to close amid heavy rainfall.
The closure could impact on services from Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen, it warned.
ScotRail said: “Due to heavy rain flooding the railway between Stonehaven and Aberdeen, the line has had to be closed.
“Train services between Glasgow Queen Street / Edinburgh and Aberdeen may be cancelled, delayed or revised.”
⚠️ NEW: Due to heavy rain flooding the railway between Stonehaven and Aberdeen, the line has had to be closed. Train services between Glasgow Queen Street / Edinburgh and Aberdeen may be cancelled, delayed or revised. pic.twitter.com/THMYcBo3mA
— ScotRail (@ScotRail) October 20, 2024
ScotRail further said that rail tickets could be used on certain bus routes "at no extra cost" due to the disruption, including the Dundee to Aberdeen CityLink.
The Stagecoach services accepting rail tickets are:
- Arbroath to Montrose
- Perth to Arbroath via Invergowrie, Dundee and Arbroath
- Invergowrie to Arbroath via Dundee
- Perth to Dundee via Invergowrie
- Dundee to Arbroath via Broughty Ferry, Monifieth & Carnoustie
- Dundee to Monifieth via Broughty Ferry
In a later update, ScotRail said the line had reopened but a reduced speed was being enforced and cancellations may still occur.
The firm said: "Staff have examined the track and the line has now reopened at a reduced speed.
"Cancellations, delays and alterations may still occur as trains and staff are out of place."
It is just the latest disruption as Storm Ashley brings high winds and rain to batter the UK.
Heavy rain and 80mph winds are predicted in places, with the first named storm of the season “likely” to bring a threat of injuries and danger to life, the Met Office has said.
A yellow warning for wind came into place for the entirety of Scotland and Northern Ireland and parts of north-west England and Wales at 3am and runs until midnight on Sunday.
An amber warning for the north-west of Scotland has been issued from 9am until midnight, with the weather service warning “injuries and danger to life is likely from large waves and beach material being thrown on to coastal roads, sea fronts and properties”.
Ferry operator CalMac – which serves the west coast of Scotland – has cancelled the majority of sailings for the day, with the islands of Arran, Bute, Lewis and Harris being cut off as a result of adverse conditions at sea caused by the high winds.
On Friday, operator P&O Ferries announced its sailings between Larne in Northern Ireland and Cairnryan in Scotland’s south west were to be cancelled on Sunday.
Met Office meteorologist Dan Stroud said “very strong, severe gales” on Sunday coincide with high spring tides, which could also result in “very large waves”.
The north of Scotland will remain under a yellow warning for wind from midnight until 9am on Monday.
Stroud said strong, gale force winds are due to continue through to Monday morning, meaning “fallen debris and trees” could affect commuters at the start of the week, and road users in Scotland have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel where possible.
ScotRail said services will be subject to “precautionary speed restrictions” from 4pm on Sunday until Monday morning for services in the west and north Highlands, Ayrshire and Stranraer. The same restrictions will be introduced between Perth and Inverness from 6pm.
The company warned that services on Monday morning could be affected by trees and debris on the track and asked customers to check their services before travelling.
