Amber rain warning
Heavy rain is set to bring disruption to the transport network in the south of Scotland, following an upgraded amber warning from the Met Office.
The amber warning for rain, which covers parts of Dumfries & Galloway and the Scottish Borders will come into force at 3am on Friday and remain in place until midday. A yellow warning for rain is in place for a wider area until 2pm on Friday and yellow warning for snow and ice covering parts of central Scotland and much of northern Scotland is in place until tomorrow evening.
The rain will make driving difficult, with potential for reduced visibility and surface water, and the conditions will likely impact travel on both the trunk road and rail networks. Police Scotland are warning of a high risk of disruption.
The Multi-Agency Response Team will monitor conditions throughout the amber warning period. Our Operating Companies will carry out inspections of culverts and flooding hotspots on the trunk road network, and will mobilise specialist equipment to clear incidents as quickly as possible. The Transport Scotland Resilience Room will also be activated at the Traffic Scotland National Control Centre to monitor impacts.
Minister for Transport Jenny Gilruth said:
“The Met Office is warning us to expect a period of difficult weather in parts of southern Scotland on Friday, with heavy rain likely to impact travel in the amber warning area.
“The conditions could potentially bring disruption to the transport network, so it’s important people plan their journeys before they set off – particularly if they’re looking to use the trunk roads or travel by rail.
“Motorists should make sure their routes are available, follow travel advice from Police Scotland and drive to the conditions. The Traffic Scotland website – traffic.gov.scot - offers the latest information on the trunk roads, and you can also follow @TrafficScotland on Twitter which is regularly updated.
“If you are planning to travel by rail, please check with your operator ahead of your journey to see if your service is affected.”
Superintendent Stewart Mackie, of Police Scotland's Road Policing Division, said:
"An amber weather warning has been issued for heavy rainfall and flooding across southern Scotland, and people should consider delaying any travel plans until conditions improve.
"If your journey is essential, please plan ahead by making sure you have sufficient fuel and supplies in your vehicle, a charged mobile telephone and always drive as the conditions allow.
"Be aware road closures and travel delays are likely, with potential disruption to public transport services. Further information and safety advice can be found on the Met Office, Traffic Scotland, and local authority websites and social media channels."
Marc Becker, Flood Duty Manager for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), said:
“Heavy rain from around midnight on Thursday into Friday morning could cause flooding from rivers and surface water in central and southern Scotland. Impacts may include flooding in communities, properties and agricultural land. Disruption to the transport network is also likely, including difficult driving conditions. Parts of Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders in particular could experience significant impacts.
“Regional Flood Alerts are in place, with local Flood Warnings also likely to be issued. People living and working in affected areas are advised to plan their essential journeys and consider the steps they need to take now to be prepared and to stay safe. Anyone out walking is urged to be extra cautious, even around small watercourses. They can also keep updated on floodline.sepa.org.uk.
“SEPA works 24/7 to monitor conditions and is in close contact with the Met Office and other partners to understand and communicate the flooding risk.”