Storm Ashley may cause delays to ScotRail services as weather warnings issued

-Credit: (Image: DAILY RECORD)
-Credit: (Image: DAILY RECORD)


Train passengers in Scotland could face delays in the wake of Storm Ashley.

A yellow and amber warning for heavy rain and strong winds of up to 80mph was put in place for the whole country until Monday.

ScotRail said most services may be subject to delay or cancellation between Sunday night and Monday morning.

READ MORE:Ryanair issues alert to all passengers taking flights from UK today

READ MORE:Storm Ashley to batter Ayrshire as Met Office issue wind warnings for Sunday

Speed restrictions will be in place for services in the west and north highlands, Ayrshire, Stranraer and between Perth and Inverness.

And debris blown onto the railway tracks could also affect routes.

Scott Prentice, ScotRail Strategy and Planning Director, said: “The Met Office has issued amber and yellow weather warnings for Storm Ashley, wit heavy rain and high winds across much of the country, particularly the north west.

“In order to keep our customers and staff safe, speed restrictions will be in place as a precautionary measure on some routes in Scotland, which will mean longer journey times.

“Customers should check their journey before setting off, and keep an eye on our website, app or social media feeds for live updates.”

Transport Scotland has also warned of likely disruptions to public transport, including the country’s ferry network.

A statement said: “A windy period is expected across the whole of the UK on Sunday and into Monday, but across parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, north-west England and north-west Wales there is an increased chance of some disruption.

“These strong winds in conjunction with high spring tides may cause some disruption.”

The Met Office also warned that Storm Ashley could potentially cause injuries and danger to life from large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and properties.

Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern said on Friday evening: “At the time of recording, Storm Ashley is on the other side of the Atlantic and a relatively shallow area of low pressure.

“It deepens rapidly as it gets picked up by the jet stream during Saturday and ends up as a particularly deep area of low pressure, with a widespread swathe of gales and wind gusts in excess of 60mph for many western and northern parts of the country.”

Clouds will thicken and wind will strengthen in the early hours of Sunday, and outbreaks of rain will hit Northern Ireland and the west of the UK, he said.

That rain will be heavy at times and accompanied by gales as the strong winds start, he added.

Western parts of the UK could wake up to 50mph to 60mph winds and heavy rain that day, particularly affecting exposed coasts and hills.

Sunday’s strongest winds will sweep exposed parts of Northern Ireland and western Scotland, with 70mph gusts likely.

They could reach 80mph “or perhaps a fraction more” in parts of western Scotland, Mr McGivern added.

He said: “Those kinds of wind gusts could cause considerable disruption, damage to buildings, transport disruptions of the ferry crossings, for example.

“And also the risk to coastal communities of flooding because these winds coincide with high tides, so that risk is especially great.”

He added that the winds will continue through Sunday and peak in the evening.

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter.