Limited service withdrawals as rail network prepares for Storm Gertrude

28th January 2016

A storm officially named Gertrude by the Met Office has been forecast to bring winds of up to 90mph as well as heavy rain, high tides, and snow to Scotland tomorrow.

The severe winds and high tides are expected to hit the north and west of Scotland in particular.

This is to advise that we will be withdrawing a limited number of train services as a safety precaution from the start of service tomorrow on routes likely to bear the brunt of the extreme weather.

The safety of our passengers and workforce is our top priority and we cannot run services on a number of lines until the worst of the storm has passed and our engineers have thoroughly inspected the network for any damage.

We have started significant customer communications on the arrangements, and are urging all to get the most up to date information about their journey by checking our website or app before setting out to travel. Leaving more time for travel is also advised.

As roads are also expected to be affected by the extreme weather, including snow and ice, replacement buses are expected to be extremely limited.

We are monitoring the weather conditions closely and have specialist teams ready to deploy quickly to deal with any issues caused by the storm and to inspect lines, repair damage and to reopen routes as quickly as possible.

With the strength of the winds expected, railway infrastructure could be damaged as severe winds can blow debris and trees onto tracks and damage equipment such as overhead electric power lines and signals.

No trains are expected to run on the following lines from start of service tomorrow morning until late afternoon:

Inverness-Kyle/Thurso/Wick
Perth-Inverness
Glasgow-Oban/Fort William/Mallaig
Dumbarton Central-Helensburgh Central
Kilmarnock-Stranraer (services will operate between Glasgow Central and Kilmarnock)
Kilwinning-Ardrossan/Largs (services will operate between Glasgow Central and Kilwinning
Ayr-Girvan
Glasgow Queen Street - Dunblane

The following services will reduce in frequency:

Edinburgh-Glasgow (via Falkirk High) will operate half hourly
Edinburgh-Dunblane will operate hourly

For latest updates, please go to:
www.scotrail.co.uk/about-scotrail/news/service-changes-due-storm-gertrude-friday-29-january