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Travel services remain severely disrupted with trains and ferries suspended and roads closed as Scotland recovers from Storm Éowyn. More than 42,000 customers are still without power on Saturday evening and Police Scotland said they have responded to almost 1,900 weather-related incidents across the country. First Minister John Swinney said the clean-up operation would “take some time”, and appealed to the public for “patience” while works are carried out.
A red weather warning for areas of central, southern and western Scotland expired at 17:00 on Friday but an amber wind alert remained into Saturday in northern Scotland. The storm has now moved away, leaving behind a trail of damage and disruption. Some of the more than 40,000 people without power in Scotland may have to wait several days before it is restored.
Network Rail Scotland said services on some lines have resumed after tracks were cleared but that the “vast majority” of lines remain closed. Inspections are being carried out on tracks and stations across the country, including with the help of a helicopter. Network Rail Scotland said 400 incidents of damage on Scotland’s railways had been found since the storm passed, including more than 120 trees and other debris being found on tracks, with work ongoing to clear lines.
Ferry operators have announced continuing disruption over the weekend. CalMac said storm damage has caused all services on its Kennacraig, Port Askaig and Port Ellen route and Oban, Colonsay, Port Askaig and Kennacraig route to be cancelled on Saturday. Two yellow weather warnings remain in place in Scotland: An ice and snow warning over most of the mainland from 18:00 on Saturday until 10:00 on Sunday, and a wind warning for the far north-west coast and Western Isles from 18:00 on Saturday until 10:00 on Sunday.
Speaking on the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland programme, Jim Dale, senior meteorologist at British Weather Services, said it was one of the most significant storms of his 40 year career. Mr Dale said the storm is now heading towards Norway, leaving behind wintry conditions over much of Scotland. A gust of 100.7mph was officially recorded at Drumalbin in South Lanarkshire on Friday afternoon, while another of gust of 102mph was reported on the Tay Road Bridge.
In a post on X, John Swinney asked for “patience” while the work to restore services affected by the storm was carried out. “After the significant impact of Storm Éowyn, work is underway to restore power supplies and transport networks,” he said. “It will take some time to complete and I appeal for the patience of the public. Power company staff and our public servants are working at speed to restore services”.
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