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Tuesday 15 Feb 2022

ScotRail services to end early on Wednesday as Storm Dudley sweeps Scotland

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

With Storm Dudley set to bring heavy rain and high winds to Scotland tomorrow (February 16), ScotRail train services will cease running early on Wednesday afternoon as a safety precaution.

Domestic rail services will be wound down by 4pm on Wednesday when the worst of Storm Dudley is expected to sweep across the country.

ScotRail services on the Far North, Kyle of Lochalsh, and Aberdeen-Inverness lines will continue to run. Some cross-border services will operate too, but at reduced speeds.

The strength of the winds expected could damage infrastructure, blowing debris and trees onto tracks and damaging equipment such as overhead electric power lines and signals.

Network Rail will have additional engineers out across the network ready to react to problems and will check all affected lines for damage before reintroducing services as quickly as possible.

Disruption on some lines is expected to continue until mid-morning on Thursday and passengers are being urged to check their journey before travelling. For more information on any changes to services, check www.nationalrail.co.uk or with individual train operators.

Liam Sumpter, Network Rail route director for Scotland, said: “Storm Dudley has the potential to cause significant disruption to our infrastructure blowing trees onto tracks and damaging equipment.

“We will be working hard on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning to respond to any issues caused by Storm Dudley and will reintroduce services as soon as lines are inspected for damage and we are sure it is safe to do so.”

David Simpson, ScotRail service delivery director, said: "We know the impact that the earlier withdrawal of services will have on customers but it’s a necessary step to ensure the safety of our staff and customers due to the severe weather.

“If you have to travel tomorrow (Wednesday), please check the ScotRail app or website before heading to the station. With services being withdrawn in the early afternoon, we’d ask all customers to carefully plan ahead.”

Further significant weather is being forecast for most of Scotland on Friday (February 18) and our weather specialists are monitoring the conditions. Passengers are urged to continue to check their journey before travelling over the course of the weekend.