Storm Éowyn shuts down services
Winds of up to 100mph and adverse conditions have impacted bus and coach services across the UK.
McGill’s Buses suspended all services today (24 January) across the central belt including Strathclyde, Forth Valley and Edinburgh between the hours of 9am-6pm, due to the severe weather conditions caused by Storm Éowyn. The company said the decision has been made to prioritise the safety of its passengers, drivers and staff.
First Bus in Glasgow strongly advised passengers to heed the ‘do not travel’ guidance during Storm Éowyn.
Duncan Cameron, Managing Director, First Bus Scotland, said: “Following strong advice from the relevant authorities including the First Minister and Police Scotland, First Bus will be temporarily suspending all services across Greater Glasgow ahead of the red weather warning.”
Due to the ongoing effects of the storm, Translink is advising all passengers that there will be further impact to bus and train services. It is anticipated that bus services will continue to be affected this afternoon and evening while work to assess the road network is carried out in conjunction with other agencies.
Translink’s Director of Service Operations, Ian Campbell, said: “As we monitor the impact of the storm, early indications show there will be significant work needed to assess the damage, undertake repairs and move debris away from the railway before we can resume passenger services safely.
“The road network is also impacted with debris and there is also damage to some passenger facilities in certain areas.”
Train operators from across the UK have sent out ‘do not travel’ notices to passengers.
More to come
According to the Met Office, further wind and rain is forecast following the severe disruption bought to parts of the UK by Storm Éowyn.
A provisional peak gust of 100mph has been recorded (at Drumalbin, Lanarkshire) so far during Storm Éowyn.
There have been significant impacts from the system, with further wet and windy weather forecast on Sunday and into the start of next week, with weather warnings issued.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Jason Kelly, said: “The influence of Storm Éowyn on the UK’s weather will diminish as it moves further north and east on Saturday morning, but there’s little respite in the conditions for some with the next area of low pressure arriving from the southwest on Sunday.
“While Sunday’s system doesn’t have the same strength as Éowyn, it will hamper some recovery efforts and bring further wind and rain, with the possibility of some flooding in places. 10-20mm of rain will fall quite widely on Sunday in central and southern England, much of Wales and Northern Ireland, with 30-50mm possible over high ground. Thundery showers could top up totals later in the day for some.
“With this rain falling on saturated ground in many places, there’s a chance of flooding for some, with winds an accompanying hazard with the system.”
Warnings for wind and rain have been issued with travel disruption, flooding and power cuts highlighted in the warning.