Inverness-Elgin trains cancelled but the A82 reopens after a fallen tree was cleared
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The busy A82 has reopened after a fallen tree was cleared but there are more problems on the railways as Inverness to Elgin services are cancelled.
The tree fell between Invermoriston and Fort Augustus brought traffic to a standstill for more than two hours.
Due to “severe weather” the 16:22 Inverness to Elgin train, the 18:00 Elgin to Inverness and the 18:58 Inverness to Elgin have all been cancelled.
The 14:39 train from Glasgow Queen Street will now start at Aberdeen.
The Highland Main Line was the first to close, followed by the Inverness-Kyle of Lochalsh line – there is no alternative transport service in operation by Scotrail.
Trains are moving but there is major disruption between Aberdeen and Inverness while the Far North Line is considered to have only minor disruption.
There could be further disruption to rail passengers next week as Network Rail Scotland reports that it will have to inspect Dalguise viaduct over the River Tay before it reopens as “water levels have now risen past the safe limit”.
It said: “With the Highland Mainline closed today due to the extreme rainfall, we have a watch person at Dalguise viaduct on the River Tay. Water levels have now risen past the safe limit – so we’ll be inspecting the structure before the railway reopens.”
Also, a short time ago, BEAR Scotland confirmed that the A82 had reopened to traffic after being closed for more than two hours because of a fallen tree on the road.
Inverness Airport remains full operational with all flights landing and arriving throughout the day without any major issue.
Earlier today, the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has issued serious warnings that torrential rain poses “a danger to life” amid what it calls a ‘widespread flooding event’ today and tomorrow.
Flood duty manager for SEPA Vincent Fitzsimons said “many areas will see heavy rain for well over 24hrs before it clears on Sunday” and among the areas “of particular concern” are Aviemore and “communities down the Spey Valley.”
