Lothians on flood alert after heavy rain causes disruption

Published on Friday 20 November 2009 10:14

EMERGENCY services were today bracing themselves for another day of fierce weather as Edinburgh and Lothians rivers remain on flood alert after heavy rainfall.

Edinburgh City Council had a flood team on stand-by overnight, after concerns that the River Almond, Water of Leith and Braid Burn could burst their banks.

This morning water levels were reported to be falling steadily but more rain is on the way.

West Lothian Council has been dealing with localised flooding, and closed roads last night.

Around 40mm of rain had been predicted to fall in 24 hours, more than half the average rainfall for November. The Met Office issued warnings of "persistent heavy, and occasionally torrential, rain", which was expected to continue this morning.

Commuters were facing delays as train services are disrupted. Train operator ScotRail said services between Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh would be "half hourly" and Edinburgh to Dunblane and Edinburgh to Bathgate services would be hourly.

ScotRail said other services could be subject to delays and cancellations.

Around 12 roads were shut in the Borders, including parts of the A697 and A699.

A full-scale rescue search was conducted by South Queensferry coastguard, police and a rescue helicopter from Prestwick after a man was reported to have fallen into the River Carron in Falkirk at 9.30pm.

It is now suspected that the call was a false alarm and a 20-year-old man has been taken into custody. A statement from Central Scotland Police said: "There was no trace of anyone in the water despite extensive searches in difficult conditions. At approximately 1am the search was called off after a 20 year old man came forward to the police."

The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) have put the River Almond and Water of Leith on "flood warning".

The city council has put a flood group on stand-by. They had sandbags prepared, as well as pumps and emergency lighting.

A city council spokesman said: "We're in a state of readiness. We've already mobilised our flood groups, and set up a flood control room. The most important thing is round-the-clock monitoring."

West Lothian Council closed several roads last night, saying: "Water levels are high at the Brox Burn, but staff are monitoring the situation constantly."

Drew Aitken, a senior hydrologist at SEPA, said: "Flood prone areas such as Stockbridge colonies and Bonnington have been warned to be prepared.

"There is a flood watch in Haddington, but we're not expecting that to get any worse."