Strong winds batter Glasgow as storm Hector hits

Trees torn down and train services cancelled as 60 mph storm hits

Author: Clyde NewsPublished 14th Jun 2018
Last updated 14th Jun 2018

Storm Hector has brought travel disruption to commuters across Glasgow and the west with fallen trees affecting rail and roads.

After a prolonged period of good weather the whole country is covered by a yellow warning with gusts of up to 70mph until 3pm on Thursday

Several fallen trees affected the morning rush hour - there was one blocking Great Western Road at Queen Margaret Drive and also on the M8 between the Airport and the Erskine Bridge.

ScotRail said "chainsaw gangs'' and overhead line teams have been deployed across the rail network to remove fallen trees and branches that are causing delays and cancellations to services.

Areas affected include Stirling, Partick, Ayrshire and North Lanarkshire.

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said Western and Northern Isles ferries have also bit affected by wind.

Great Western Road in Glasgow was closed for a time due to a fallen tree while the Erskine Bridge and Clyde Expressway were also affected. Pollokshaws Road in Glasgow was reduced to one lane due to a dangerous building in the strong winds.

The Forth Road Bridge was closed to double-decker buses and only cars are being allowed to cross the Tay Bridge.

Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern said: "Scotland and northern England will see that swathe of strong winds move eastwards through the day.

"The wettest weather will be out of the way but there will be some blustery showers following and with the yellow warning in force disruption is possible.

"Further spells of rain will push their way into Scotland through the night before clearer skies open out by the start of Friday."

The Met Office said injuries and a danger to life is "likely'' in coastal areas in Northern Ireland, with the chance of large waves and potential for beach debris to end up on roads, sea fronts and properties.

People have been advised to take care with the possibility that outdoor summer furniture will have been blown around overnight.

The storm, bringing wet as well as windy weather, will move across Scotland and the north of England throughout the morning, and the yellow warning remains in place until 3pm.

Such stormy weather is "quite unusual for this time of year'' forecaster Luke Miall said.

"The worst of the weather is going to be in the morning rush hour for most people,'' he said.

"The storm is likely to clear to the north east around lunchtime or just after 1pm.''