Rail services across Ayrshire will grind to a halt from 4pm today as the region prepares for a battering from Storm Dudley.
Disruption is expected to transport and other essential services with very strong winds and heavy rain anticipated. An amber weather warning has been issued.
Critically, all of ScotRail's passenger services will be suspended until 7am tomorrow, the operator has announced, apart from those in the north-east and Highlands.
A statement read: "Owing to forecasted strong winds and heavy rain for today, Wednesday, February 16, due to Storm Dudley, all ScotRail passenger services will be withdrawn from 4pm with the exception of services between Inverness and Aberdeen, Inverness Wick/Thurso and Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh.
"If you have to travel today, please check the app before heading out and keep an eye on it throughout your journey. Remember, you will not be able to travel on ScotRail services after 4pm today, Wednesday, February 16."
On the buses, Stagecoach West Scotland has not advised of any cancellations but was unable to send services to Ayr High Street, as of lunchtime, due to an issue.
A tweet from the operator said: "Ayr High Street is currently blocked due to builders lifting equipment and buses wont serve it until it reopens. All buses will operate via Miller Road and Fort Street until further notice."
CalMac ferry services have been cancelled between Ardrossan and Brodick on the Isle of Arran and Largs and Cumbrae. A review will take place at 4pm to determine whether crossings can be completed tomorrow.
Meanwhile, NHS Ayrshire & Arran closed vaccine clinics from 1pm. Mobile test centres are also closing earlier.
In East Ayrshire, residents have been told not to put out their recycling bins but confirmed refuse crews were working normally, with people asked to put their bins out if it was safe to do so.
The local authority has asked that kids are picked up from early childhood centres by 3.45pm. There are no plans for school closures.
East Ayrshire Leisure has also taken the decision to close Kilmarnock's Dean Castle Country Park from 3pm. It will be inspected tomorrow morning ahead of any potential reopening.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has issued a flood alert for Ayr and Troon as there is a risk of flooding from wave overtopping and spray along the seafront on Wednesday into the early hours of Thursday, February 17 – particularly between 10pm and 3am.
Staying in South Ayrshire and the local authority there is also taking precautions as Storm Dudley approaches.
Parents and carers of children in early years centres and childcare services are being asked to collect kids before 4pm today.
The council posted on its Facebook page: “Due to today’s amber weather warning for strong and disruptive winds, we’re asking parents and carers to collect children from their early years centre and out of school care before 4pm today.
“This affects the children who would normally stay in our services up to 6pm.
“We are taking this precautionary measure to enable all children, parents and staff to get home before the worst of the storm.”
The council is also asking residents to put blue and grey bins out as close to the time of collection as possible, and, where possible, leave glass bins until the next collection.
It said: “Glass bins are usually collected between 5.45am and 2pm, however, if your glass bin can wait until the next collection, please don’t put it out this time.
“Blue bins and grey bins are collected between 1.45pm and 9.30pm so, where possible, you can put these out up until 1.45pm on the day of collection.
“We know that not everyone will be able to put their bins out later, but if you can, we’d really appreciate if you would do so.”
North Ayrshire Council confirmed the following this afternoon...
- Public toilets will start closing from 3pm today to allow closure of all toilet buildings by 4pm at the latest. This will allow our staff to finish and return to safety away from the coastal areas and the effects of the storm.
- Due to forecasted high winds, the walkthrough Covid-19 test centre at Harbour Road, Irvine will close today with the mobile testing unit at Dalry Fire Station closing at 1pm. Anyone with an appointment will be contacted by SMS.
- Our waste collection crews will be working where safe to do so – should the adverse weather affect your collection we will return as soon as possible. Please note the following advice for helping to prevent bins blowing over: Helpful hints for waste (north-ayrshire.gov.uk)
In the West of Scotland League, all of tonight's Premier Division matches in Ayrshire at Auchinleck Talbot, Cumnock, Darvel, Irvine Meadow and Kilwinning Rangers have been postponed.
Storm Dudley has been given an amber warning by Met Office boffins.
The weather service has set the warning from 2pm until midnight and a yellow warning until 6am tomorrow.
The organisation said: "Storm Dudley is expected to affect the UK later on Wednesday, bringing a period of strong and potentially disruptive winds."
Hot on the heels of this weather front is Storm Eunice, which is set to bring heavy snow and some strong winds on Friday to Ayrshire.
Met Office advice to people is as follows...
Before the storm:
- Secure loose objects such as ladders, garden furniture or anything else that could be blown into windows and other glazing and break them
- Close and securely fasten doors and windows, particularly those on the windward side of the house, and especially large doors such as those on garages
- Park vehicles in a garage, if available; otherwise keep them clear of buildings, trees, walls and fences
- Close and secure loft trapdoors with bolts, particularly if roof pitch is less than 30°
- If the house is fitted with storm shutters over the windows then ensure that these are closed and fastened
- If chimney stacks are tall and in poor condition, move beds away from areas directly below them
During the storm:
- Stay indoors as much as possible
- If you do go out, try not to walk or shelter close to buildings and trees
- Keep away from the sheltered side of boundary walls and fences – if these structures fail, they will collapse on this side
- Do not go outside to repair damage while the storm is in progress
- If possible, enter and leave your house through doors in the sheltered side, closing them behind you
- Open internal doors only as needed, and close them behind you
- Take care when driving on exposed routes such as bridges, or high open roads, delay your journey or find alternative routes if possible
- Slow down and be aware of side winds, particular care should be taken if you are towing or are a high sided vehicle
- Do not drive unless your journey is really necessary
After the storm:
- Be careful not to touch any electrical/telephone cables that have been blown down or are still hanging
- Do not walk too close to walls, buildings and trees as they could have been weakened
- Make sure that any vulnerable neighbours or relatives are safe and help them make arrangements for any repairs
Additional reporting: Abi Smillie and Colin Paterson.
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