ScotRail cancels ALL trains in Scotland as Storm Éowyn set to batter country

ScotRail has confirmed all services will be cancelled across Scotland tomorrow as Storm Éowyn is set to batter the country.

No services will operate on Friday, January 24, when the elements of the storm are due to arrive. The rail operator has strongly advised customers not to travel as there will also be no alternative transport will be available.

It comes as the first storm of the year sparked a rare red weather alert with an "extreme" warning for danger to life. The Met Office alert comes into force at 10am on Friday lasting until 5pm.

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Areas covered by the dangers to life warning are Central, Tayside & Fife, south west Scotland, Lothian Borders (including Edinburgh) and Strathclyde (including Glasgow). With gusts of up to 100mph set to sweep across the country, forecasters are warning of flying debris resulting in danger to life as well as "very dangerous" driving conditions because of fallen trees.

It's expected there could be power cuts, damage to buildings and homes, and delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights. A yellow warning for snow will also come into force at 6am on Friday morning for Grampian, Tayside and the Highlands.

It will last until 11.59pm. Once the warnings pass, the Network Rail will have to undergo safety inspections before train services can be reintroduced.

First Minister John Swinney also warned against any travel on Friday.

In a statement at the Scottish Parliament, he said: “The storm could bring winds up to 100mph. The Met Office advice is clear, the potential impacts include danger to life, structural damage to property and transport and power disruptions.

“We have to be clear, people should not travel and Police Scotland will issue a formal, do not travel advisory notice shortly. Red weather warnings like this are very rare. Our message is simple, please follow the advice from the Met Office and the police, take this seriously and stay safe.”

Schools will also remain closed in 12 local authorities across Scotland tomorrow. North and South Lanarkshire, North Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Midlothian, East and West Dunbartonshire, Inverclyde, Argyll and Bute, Glasgow, East Ayrshire and West Lothian will shut.

Clackmannanshire Council has not yet said whether schools in the area will open on Friday, but said it would update parents on social media later. West coast ferry operator CalMac warned the forecast conditions from Storm Eowyn mean the majority of sailings are liable to disruption or cancellation, with some services already cancelled.

Northlink Ferries, serving the Northern Isles, has amended sailing times for Friday due to expected adverse weather and said all sailings for Saturday are under review, with “a high probability of cancellation” for morning services.

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.”

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