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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Kathleen Speirs

Scots facing travel chaos as rail, road and ferry services hit by strong winds

Scots are facing travel chaos today amid a yellow weather warning from the Met Office for wind and snow.

Gusts of up to 70 mph and snowfall is expected to batter much of the country on Wednesday and into Thursday, February 24.

A 'danger to life' warning was also issued by Met Office chiefs who urge Scots to be prepared for potential power cuts.

It comes as Storm Gladys makes its way across the United Kingdom.

The treacherous conditions have already affected a wave of travel services, with Scots being ground to a halt by delays, cancellations and suspensions.

Network Rail Scotland have enforced speed restrictions on lines for Wednesday and Thursday.

Falls of Cruachan to Taynuilt is restricted until 8.30am on Wednesday and Glenfinnan to Lochailort until 9.30am.

The following lines have speed restrictions in place till 8.30am on Thursday; Inverness to Beauly, Dingwall to Alness, Pitlochry to Blair Atholl and Tain to Lairg.

Safety measures are in place on a number of bridges across the country.

The Skye Bridge is closed to high-sided vehicles while the Forth Road Bridge is closed to double deckers. Only cars are being allowed onto the Tay Bridge.

CalMac has cancelled the following services today:

Oban - Castlebay

Oban - Colonsay

All Uig, Tarbert and Lochmaddy crossings

Fionnphort - Iona

Berneray - Leverburgh

Mallaig - Armadale

Mallaig - Smallsles

Oban - Lochboisdale

Tobermory - Kinlochan

Ardrossan - Brodick

So far an additional 15 services are under amber warning, meaning passengers should expect crossings to be either cancelled, delayed or suspended.

Meanwhile over 20 crossings were issues with an amber warning where there is a chance of sailings being affected and harbour masters are assessing the situation on a crossing-by-crossing basis.

According to the Met Office only the north east of the country will dodge the dangerous weather conditions today.

A statement from the Met Office read: "Frequent heavy snow showers are expected, along with very gusty winds and a small chance of frequent lightning affecting some places.

"Expect a small chance of injuries and danger to life from flying debris.

"A slight chance of some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs

"A small chance of longer journey times or cancellations as road, rail, air and ferry services are affected. There is also a chance some vehicles and passengers could become stranded.

"Power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage. Some roads and bridges could close and some rural communities could become cut off."

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