Storm Gerrit brings disruption on road, rail and ferry networks

Yellow weather warnings are in place throughout Wednesday for much of northern, western and southern Scotland.

Heavy snow led to cars becoming stuck on parts of the A9 near Drumochter in the Highlands before snowploughs were able to start clearing a way through.

Bear Scotland, which manages the trunk roads in the area, sent six ploughs and three tractors to the scene.

It said conditions are “extremely challenging” and drivers are urged to avoid the area.

The A9 further south at Ballinluig in Perthshire has also been closed by police due to flooding.

Shortly after 2pm, ScotRail said no further trains would run between Aberdeen and Dundee, Inverness and Perth, Aberdeen and Inverness or on the West Highland, Kyle and Far North lines for the rest of Wednesday.

Several routes have been flooded, including Kilwinning to Ardrossan/Largs, Dumfries to Kilmarnock, Ladybank to Dundee, Dalmuir to Balloch/Helensburgh as well as Paisley to Gourock/Wemyss Bay.

Earlier, all train services between Edinburgh and Helensburgh Central were cancelled as a result of a tree falling and blocking the railway at Dumbarton East.

Network Rail confirmed the tree had caught fire, affecting the overhead power lines.

Network Rail Scotland said on X: “We’re responding to a tree on the line in the Dumbarton area.

“The tree is blocking the line and has caught fire, which is affecting overhead lines.

“The line is currently closed whilst we gain access to remove the tree and extinguish the fire.”

The line reopened shortly after 11am, but flooding at Bowling closed it again.

ScotRail warned passengers that Storm Gerrit is bringing “widespread disruption” to multiple routes across Scotland.

Speed restrictions are in place, and passengers are urged to check their journeys ahead of travelling.

There is also disruption on the ferry network, with NorthLink services across the Pentland Firth to Orkney cancelled as a result of the weather.

CalMac ferries are also subject to delay and suspension across the west coast, with those travelling urged to check if their services are operating.

On the roads, the A82 at Inverlochy near Fort William is closed in both directions due to a number of fallen trees.

The A82 is also closed at Milton, near Dumbarton, due to flooding.

Met Office chief meteorologist Frank Saunders said: “Storm Gerrit will run towards western UK on Wednesday and bring with it potential impacts for much of the UK.

“Winds across southern coastal areas of England will be strong, possibly peaking around 70mph on exposed coastlines, but more widely around 50-60mph within the warning area.

“Rain is an additional hazard from Storm Gerrit, with active weather fronts leading to a wet day for many.

“Snow is also likely to cause problems for some northern areas – only briefly for a few upland routes across the Pennines and southern Scotland overnight and early on Wednesday, but more widely to the north of the central Lowlands later in the day.

“Here around 10cm to possibly 20cm of snow may affect some of the highest routes, this combining with very strong winds to lead to some difficult travel conditions.

“At lower levels a combination of heavy rain and very strong winds will dominate.”

Stein Connelly from Transport Scotland said: “The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for large parts of the country.

“We’re seeing rain across south-west Scotland, rain and wind across the central belt, and also some snow across northern Scotland.

“This type of weather isn’t unusual for this time of year, but yellow warnings do mean the potential for significant travel disruption and that’s what we’re seeing today across the road and rail network with ferry services also impacted.

“We have well-established plans with partners to respond to these conditions which are currently being progressed.

“Our operating companies are working hard in adverse conditions to remove fallen trees and clear roads of snow currently.”

He urged people to plan ahead and to drive to conditions.

He advised drivers to check the Traffic Scotland website for problems on trunk roads and those using public transport to check with their operators.