Major disruption has hit Scotland’s railway network after heavy rain brought flooding to the tracks.
Services will be cancelled or delayed between Glasgow and Aberdeen due to surging water levels on the line between Perth and Stirling.
The flooding is said to be worst at the Mill O’Keir viaduct, near Dunblane, with the line closed in the area earlier on Friday afternoon.
Network Rail said water levels are rising by about 3in an hour at the spot.
Trains to Perth, Dundee and Angus could be called off due to the weather conditions.
A Network Rail spokesman said: “We’re currently experiencing disruption due to flooding near Larbert to the South of Stirling.
“There’s been a significant build up of water at track level due to heavy rainfall throughout today.
“We have engineers and mobile pumping equipment on site working to reduce the water levels.
“Trains are running at a low speed through the area as a safety precaution.”
A ScotRail statement reads: “Due to heavy rain flooding the railway disruption is expected until the end of the day.
“Train services between Glasgow Queen Street and Aberdeen will be delayed or terminated at and started back from Stirling.”
We’re working to secure replacement transport between Stirling-Perth-Inverness, but this hasn’t been confirmed yet. We’d recommend travelling by train via Edinburgh if you can. ^CT
— ScotRail (@ScotRail) February 21, 2020
Heavy rain has also brought flooding to the railway line at Larbert and Winchburgh.
⚠️Flooding is affecting the railway in several areas, with more heavy rain on the way. We've seen issues at Mill O'Keir, Larbert, Winchburgh, Corkerhill, Hartwood, Lochwinnoch and Westerton. Our teams are working hard to keep the railway in these areas open where we can do so.
— Network Rail Scotland (@NetworkRailSCOT) February 21, 2020
We're seeing water levels rising quickly (around 10cm per hour) at Mill O'Keir Viaduct between Stirling & Perth. I'm afraid the line is going to be closed in the next few minutes for safety reasons. Please follow your train operator for the latest info. @ScotRail @LNER
— Network Rail Scotland (@NetworkRailSCOT) February 21, 2020
It comes after nine flood warnings were issued across Perthshire on Friday.
More to follow.
