ScotRail customers across parts of Scotland are expected to experience longer journey times as a result of the extreme weather brought by Storm Ciaran.
A Met Office yellow weather warning for heavy rain is in place across the east coast of Scotland until 06:00 on Friday, 3 November.
As a safety precaution, Network Rail will impose speed restrictions on routes in the Highlands and east of Scotland, which will cause delays on the following routes:
- Aberdeen – Inverness.
- Dundee – Aberdeen.
- Inverness – Wick.
- Perth – Inverness.
The first of these speed restrictions will be in place from 15:00 today (Thursday, 2 November), and will remain in place until 08:00 on Saturday, 4 November.
Speed restrictions are a necessary measure to keep passengers and staff safe while travelling around the network.
In addition, customers travelling between the Central Belt and Aberdeen on Friday, 3 November, will need to change at Dundee as there will be no direct ScotRail services between Glasgow Queen Street and Aberdeen, and between Edinburgh Waverley and Aberdeen, from the start of service until mid-afternoon.
Customers are advised that journeys along the affected routes will take longer than usual and are encouraged to check their journey before travelling.
Live updates will be available on the ScotRail website, mobile app, and social media channels.
Services on the Far North Line, between Inverness and Wick / Thurso are also currently disrupted while Network Rail carries out urgent repair work to a damaged sea wall between Brora and Helmsdale. It’s expected to take until early next week to complete the repairs.
To keep customers moving along the route, ScotRail trains are running between Inverness and Lairg, and between Forsinard and Wick, with replacement bus services connecting journeys between Lairg and Forsinard.
David Simpson, ScotRail Service Delivery Director, said:
“The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for Storm Ciaran, which is expected to bring heavy rain across the east coast of Scotland.
“Our first priority is always to ensure the safety of our staff and customers, so as a precautionary measure, speed restrictions will be in place across the Highlands and east coast. This will result in extended journey times along the affected routes.
“We’re asking customers to check their journey before travel, and to keep an eye on our website, app, or social media feeds for live updates.”