Disruption continues across north of Scotland after floods

Published on Tuesday 3 November 2009 23:29

HOUSEHOLDERS, businesses and travellers were yesterday still suffering disruption from severe flooding which brought chaos to many parts of Scotland this week.

The deluge on Sunday and Monday closed roads and rail lines and saw some people being plucked from vehicles and homes when flood waters rose.

Among the worst-hit areas were the Aberdeenshire communities of Huntly and the coastal town of Stonehaven.

Yesterday, at least 12 residents moved back into the Meadows Care Home in Huntly, where water poured into a dining room and two bedrooms in the early hours of Monday morning.

The damage to the home, which is owned by Four Seasons Health Care, is being assessed before the 28 remaining residents can return.

Meanwhile, businesses were still counting the cost of the water damage in Stonehaven.

Frank MacDonald, who owns the town's Harbour Bakery, said: "I will be losing thousands of pounds over the next couple of weeks. It will be weeks before the shop opens."

Dunnottar School in Stonehaven remained closed and trains were still disrupted across the North-east.

Services are now running between Aberdeen-Huntly and Inverness-Forres, with buses ferrying passengers due to flooding between Keith and Elgin. This section of line is likely to remain closed until Friday.

Network Rail said flooding caused 2,000 tonnes of material supporting the track-bed to wash away at a point two miles north of Montrose. This line will also be closed until Friday.

ScotRail is operating a limited northbound service as far as Montrose and was due to introduce an Aberdeen-Stonehaven service late yesterday.

National Express east coast and cross-country services are terminating at Dundee, with buses running from Dundee to Aberdeen.