Storm Dudley: ScotRail to halt train services early on Wednesday as Scotland braces for high winds

ScotRail has announced it will halt train services in Scotland at 4pm on Wednesday as two named storms approach the UK with the promise of dangerous winds and even blizzards.
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Gusts could rise as high as 90mph in coastal areas, with the amber warning due to come into force at 4pm on Wednesday and expire at midnight, when it will be downgraded to a yellow warning until 6am on Thursday.

Storm Dudley will be immediately followed by Storm Eunice later this week.

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Services running in the far north, Kyle of Lochalsh, and Aberdeen-Inverness lines will continue to run as usual because the areas are outside the boundaries of the weather warning.

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Edinburgh weather: Storm Dudley and Storm Eunice will hit the Capital, ushering ...

Scotland is bracing itself for Storm Dudley tomorrow,” the rail operator said on Twitter.

“The welfare of our customers and staff is most important, so for safety reasons most ScotRail train services will shut down from 4pm on Wednesday.”

The RNLI warned adverse weather conditions could make seas “treacherous”, urging people to take extra care in coastal areas.

ScotRail is to stop its services early on Wednesday over Storm Dudley fears.ScotRail is to stop its services early on Wednesday over Storm Dudley fears.
ScotRail is to stop its services early on Wednesday over Storm Dudley fears.
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“The expected storms could make our seas treacherous, increasing the risk for those visiting the coast around the UK and Ireland,” RNLI national water safety partner Samantha Hughes said.

“In a normal year, around 150 people lose their lives at the coast and we know that more than half of those never intended to be in the water.

“So whether you are walking, running or cycling at the coast, please be extra responsible and avoid taking unnecessary risk or entering the water.

“In particular, we ask people to stay well back from stormy, wintry seas and cliff edges, check tide times before you go, take a phone with you, and call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard if you or someone else is in trouble.”

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Meanwhile, the Woodland Trust Scotland urged people to stay away from wooded areas during the high winds.

“Please do not enter woodland when winds are high and be cautious when entering woodland after a storm,” said spokesman George Anderson.

He added: “Even fully toppled trees are best avoided when newly felled as they are often not completely settled and still have the potential to move or tip.”

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