Scotland’s weather: Rush-hour chaos for commuters on road and rail as floods and landslips hit Scotland

By SHÂN ROSS
Published on 30/08/2012 00:00

SEVERE downpours, hailstones and thunder storms swept across many parts of Scotland yesterday, leaving chaos in their wake.

Commuters on both road and rail faced delays at the peak evening rush hour after landslips and flooding affected parts of the transport network.

Floodwater swept debris across a stretch of the A7 near Langholm, in Dumfriessshire, while in Argyll and Bute, the A83 was closed between the A819 junction in Inveraray and the A815 junction in Cairndow.

The M9 near Stirling was also briefly closed by flooding.

Drivers were warned of the dangers of surface water in

Lothian and Borders, the Western Isles and on the A9 near Dunkeld.

ScotRail said landslips had closed lines between Stirling and Dunblane. The line between Carstairs and Motherwell was also affected by floodwater, causing delays.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency issued 12 alerts across Scotland advising people flooding was possible and to be prepared. It also

issued three “higher-level” flood warnings across Tayside, indicating that flooding was expected and would require immediate action.

The Met Office said the highest rainfall monitored over a 24-hour period up to 6pm yesterday was at Fair Isle, where 23.8mm of rain was recorded. This was followed by Stornoway at 23.4mm, and Edinburgh at 21mm.

In Edinburgh, the Usher Hall was left six inches deep in water after hail, thunder and lightning affected many parts of the city

A fire crew spent an hour pumping out water, raising concerns that a concert featuring world-renowned countertenor David Daniels, with tickets costing up to £45, would have to be cancelled.

However, Karl Chapman, the venue’s general manager, last night said: “Rehearsals continued throughout the afternoon and the concert will go ahead as planned this evening.”