ScotRail cancels all services in Storm Eowyn red weather warning
All ScotRail services will be cancelled tomorrow (January 24) as the operator warns of “extreme weather” brought by Storm Éowyn.
No ScotRail services will operate across the entirety of the country on Friday (January 24) and there will be no alternative transport provision.
ScotRail said the safety of passengers and staff was of “paramount importance” after the Met Office issued a red weather warning for wind covering the Central Belt and parts of southern Scotland.
READ MORE: Mum shocked by holiday photo finds way to lose 91lbs in 10 months
READ MORE: Glasgow residents praise bobbies on the beat for crackdown on illegal e-bikes
ScotRail said it had taken the decision after reviewing weather forecasts it said show "conditions will be much worse in many areas than earlier forecasts had predicted." The operator warned trees and other debris could fall onto the tracks, making conditions unsafe to operate trains.
This could also lead to trains being trapped on the network and impacts recovery times due to the expected road conditions, ScotRail said in a statement. Following the storm, the railways will undergo safety inspections by Network Rail before services can be reintroduced.
ScotRail passengers whose journey has been cancelled or disrupted due to adverse weather can travel from Thursday (January 23) and up to and including Tuesday (January 28) with their existing ticket. Passengers can also apply for a fee-free refund on any unused tickets.
Follow Storm Éowyn LIVE updates for Glasgow as 90mph wind forecast prompts red weather warning
The Met Office red weather warning for wind covers the Central Belt, including Glasgow in its entirety, as well as Lanarkshire, Dunbartonshire, Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, Inverclyde and Argyll and Bute, and is active from 10am to 5pm Friday.
An amber warning for wind will be in place across Glasgow and the wider region from 1pm Friday to 6am Saturday, with the Met Office warning of flying debris, power cuts and travel disruption. Glasgow is under a yellow warning for wind throughout from 6am to midnight on Friday, midnight to 3pm on Saturday, and 8am to 3pm on Sunday.
Mark Ilderton, ScotRail Service Delivery Director, said: “The Met Office weather warnings for very high winds across the country mean that it will not be safe for our customers and our staff, and all ScotRail train services will be suspended on Friday. We recognise the impact that the withdrawal of train services will have on customers, but our first priority is always to ensure the safety of staff and passengers – and this is a necessary step to ensure everyone’s safety during the severe weather.
“Our colleagues at Network Rail Scotland will be working flat out once the worst of the weather passes, to carry out safety checks and assess what repairs are required to reopen the railway. We will update our website, mobile app, and social media feeds with the latest travel advice, and customers should check for further updates before they attempt to travel on Saturday morning.”
Join Glasgow Live's WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
Sign up to our daily Glasgow Live newsletter here to receive news and features direct to your inbox