Key events
Early Monday morning trains cancelled across Scotland
Scotland’s railway operator has said there will be no Monday morning rush-hour services, after an amber weather warning for wind came into force on Sunday at 6pm. A red warning was later issued overnight, although it expired at 5am.
Network Rail says it made the decision to close the railway to passengers in the interest of public and staff safety.
Customer are advised to check the ScotRail website or app before travelling on Monday.
Phil Campbell, ScotRail customer operations director, said:
The heavy wind and ongoing rain hitting most parts of the country mean that it will not be safe for our customers and our staff, and all ScotRail train services will be suspended from 19.00 [Sunday].”
We know the impact that the withdrawal of train services will have on customers, but our first priority is always to ensure the safety of staff and passengers – and this is a necessary step to ensure everyone’s safety during the severe weather.
Our colleagues at Network Rail Scotland will be working flat out through the night and into the morning to carry out safety checks, and assess what repairs are required to reopen the railway.
However, customers will be unable to travel early Monday morning, as trains will not be able to operate until the infrastructure has been made safe.
On Sunday evening, repair teams responded to reports of a tree which had fallen on overhead wires on a train track in Gartcosh, Cumbernauld. Network Rail thanked the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for extinguishing a small fire that broke out after the tree collided with the wires.
Network Rail also said a tree has fallen on to the tracks near East Linton in East Lothian.
The Met Office has also warned that damage to properties and businesses is possible.
Customers whose journey has been cancelled or disrupted due to adverse weather can travel two days after the date on their ticket, or also apply for a refund on any unused tickets.
Welcome and summary
Welcome to the Guardian’s live coverage of Storm Isha with me, Helen Livingstone.
Travel disruption is expected across the country this morning with rush-hour trains axed for many and cancellations and delays also affecting air and sea travellers.
The Met Office has issued multiple weather warnings, including two amber wind alerts in place in England and Scotland until 6am and a red warning for parts of northern Scotland which was lifted at 5am. The Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (Torro) meanwhile said on Sunday a tornado was “possible” in England and Wales.
Damage to homes and buildings, falling trees, power cuts, flying debris, large waves and even some flooding in places should be expected into Monday morning, forecasters have warned.
Agencies across Cumbria have declared themselves on standby for a major incident, with Sellafield nuclear site closing as a precaution on Sunday.
Stay with us for all the latest.
