Early Closure of Scottish Rail Services Ahead of Storm Floris

Rail services in western and northern Scotland will cease operations early on Monday, August 4, 2023, due to the impending impact of Storm Floris. The storm is forecasted to bring winds reaching up to 90 mph and heavy rain over a 24-hour period, prompting an Amber weather warning from the Met Office for many regions across the country.

Starting from noon, services will be suspended on several key railway lines, including the West Highland Line and all routes north of Perth. Passengers traveling in Fife will also see their services withdrawn. Other routes will operate on a reduced timetable, with trains limited to a maximum speed of 50 mph from 09:00 for safety reasons.

Affected lines include:

– Edinburgh – Fife/Perth/Dundee
– Perth – Dundee/Aberdeen/Inverness
– Dunblane – Perth
– Inverness – Aberdeen/Wick/Thurso/Kyle of Lochalsh
– West Highland Line (Helensburgh Upper – Oban, Fort William, and Mallaig)

The severe winds are likely to cause disruptions, including fallen trees and debris on the tracks. According to Network Rail, the unusual timing of these winds poses a higher risk, as trees in full leaf are more vulnerable to wind damage. Additionally, heavy rainfall can lead to infrastructure issues such as landslips and flooding.

Once Storm Floris passes, engineers will inspect the closed lines for any damage. Passengers are advised that services may resume later on Tuesday across the affected routes. To expedite safety checks, Network Rail Scotland’s helicopter will assist ground teams in assessing the network.

Ross Moran, the route director for Network Rail Scotland, emphasized that passenger safety is their top priority. He stated, “With the severity of Storm Floris becoming clear, our priority is the safety of our passengers and colleagues. That is why we’ve taken the decision to close some parts of Scotland’s Railway early on Monday as the worst of the conditions hit the country.”

Mark Ilderton, ScotRail’s service delivery director, echoed these concerns. He acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the service alterations but reaffirmed that ensuring safety is paramount. “We will update our website, mobile app, and social media feeds with the latest travel advice, and customers should check their journey before traveling,” Ilderton added.

Passengers are strongly encouraged to verify their travel plans with National Rail Enquiries or their respective train operators in light of these significant weather changes.