ScotRail services to face "significant disruption" tomorrow as torrential rain batters the Highlands and much of Scotland
ScotRail is warning customers there will be significant disruption to services tomorrow as a month’s worth of rain falls on parts of the Highlands.
The move comes after LNER and the Caledonian Sleeper gave details of north services cancelled, delayed or facing potential cancellation tonight and tomorrow.
The Met Office has upgraded its yellow weather warning to amber for part of Scotland, including a swathe of the southern Highlands.
Forecasters predict up to 180mm will fall in many areas overnight and into tomorrow with the worst of the deluge easing on Sunday morning.
As a result, ScotRail has decided to suspend services on several routes completely from 1 am tomorrow until Sunday morning.
They include the Highland Mainline between Perth and Inverness; the West Highland line from Oban, Mallaig and Fort William; and Helensburgh Central/Balloch to Dalmuir.
Services between Dalmuir and Glasgow will operate.
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For those routes, the rail operator is advising customers not to travel as no rail replacement service is available.
Most other routes across the rail network will be affected by speed restrictions as a safety precaution, with services subject to delay or cancellation.
At this point in time, those include the north lines from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh and Wick.
David Simpson, ScotRail’s service delivery director, said: “The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for heavy rain for parts of Scotland, which could see over a month’s worth fall on areas of the Highlands and central Scotland, as well as Glasgow, Perth, and Stirling.
“We know the impact that the withdrawal of some train services will have on customers but it’s a necessary step to ensure the safety of our staff and customers due to the severe rainfall.
“As a precautionary measure in order to keep our customers and staff safe, speed restrictions will also be in place across most routes in Scotland, which will result in extended journey times.
“Customers are advised that they should travel only when necessary, and for those that do, they should check their journey before travelling, and keep an eye on our website, app or social media feeds for live updates.”
The operator is warning customers only to travel if absolutely necessary, to expect delays, and to check their journey before travelling on the ScotRail website, app or social media feeds for live updates.
Customers whose journey has been cancelled or disrupted due to adverse weather this weekend can travel one day before or two days after the date on their ticket.
They can also apply for a fee-free refund on any unused tickets.
