Storms and floods bring transport chaos to Scotland

Severe weather warnings were in place over huge swathes of the country as police, fire brigades and councils fought problems throughout much of the day.

Up to 12mm of rain was recorded in the west of Scotland, while snow fell on higher ground in Dumfries and Galloway and in Grampian.

Among the areas worst affected by flooding were Ayrshire, where the local authority received more than 60 calls from worried residents, and Edinburgh, where severe flooding was reported on Balcarres Street, Morningside.

Sandbags were brought in to reinforce the Water of Leith at Canonmills and Stockbridge.

Traffic ground to a halt on the Edinburgh bypass, while flooding and high winds saw speed restrictions on the M8, Tay Bridge and Forth Road Bridge.

Rail services to Fife and East Lothian were subject to delays and cancellation. West Street underground station in Glasgow had to be closed for a while in the afternoon, although services continued to run. Flooding problems were also reported at the Clyde Tunnel, with drivers facing delays.

In Argyll, motorists were warned about a potential landslide at the Rest and Be Thankful beauty spot.

On the west coast, Caledonian Macbrayne suffered delayed or seriously disrupted ferry services on the routes linking Oban and Colonsay, Ardrossan and Brodick, and from Mallaig to Eigg, Muck, Rum and Canna.

South Ayrshire Council said heavy rain had caused flooding in Ayr, Coylton, Culroy, Dundonald, Dunure, Kirkmichael, Mossblown, Prestwick, Tarbolton and Troon. Staff handed out more than 160 sandbags in the Troon area alone, while firefighters helped shop owners whose premises were threatened by around six inches of water in Portland Street.

Mike Newall, the council’s head of planning and enterprise, said: “We are doing all we can to help our local communities, and our staff are out there in horrendous conditions in an effort to make a positive difference.”

In South Lanarkshire, flooding closed the A72 Riverside Road in Lanark and the A724 Hamilton Road in Blantyre.

The heaviest rainfall was recorded in Tyndrum, Stirlingshire, which saw 12mm, while 11mm fell at Prestwick, Ayrshire.

Weather forecasters last night warned that higher winds and more rain were likely in several parts of the country over the next few days.

Matt Dobson, a forecaster at the Meteogroup, said: “It has been a thoroughly wet day in Scotland, with squally winds and even some very wet snow.

“The north-west wind looks set to pick up, with gusts of between 50mph and 60mph in the north and west of the country, so it will feel even colder than Monday. It will be another showery day, and some showers will be mixed with hail further to the north”.

STV weatherman Sean Batty said: “The next few days will stay chilly, with the risk of some sleet to lower levels at times, and heavier showers.”