Met Office warns motorists that there is a risk to life when Storm Arwen brings 90mph snowstorms across the UK. Motorists are asked to keep off roads
Some people in the UK were warned to not travel. “under any circumstances”Storm Arwen batters the North and East Scotland as well the North East of England as Storm Arwen.
The Met Office issued a rare red warning for Angus, Dundee and Fife from Friday at 3:00 p.m. to Saturday at 2 a.m. It covered Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire East Lothian, Fife, Aberdeen, Fife, Aberdeenshire, East Lothian, and the Scottish Borders.
On Friday, the Scottish government met to discuss the storm approaching and has since advised the public to not travel after the red weather warning.
John Swinney, the deputy first minister, said: “The decision by the Met Office to issue a rare red weather warning for strong winds signals a potentially damaging and dangerous risk to life in some areas of Scotland.
“People in these affected areas should not travel under any circumstances, including motorists.
“Yellow and amber weather warnings also remain in place for a number of areas and people should continue to exercise extreme caution and plan any necessary journeys in advance as there is disruption to transport services.
“The Scottish Government is in close contact with local authorities and the emergency services to ensure people in the affected areas receive the latest information, advice and support where needed.”
Police Scotland has warned people using roads in areas covered by the Met Office’s red warning –including cyclists, people using public transport and those in cars, vans and lorries – not to travel.
Superintendent Simon Bradshaw, from Police Scotland’s road policing unit, said: “The high winds being experienced along the coastal areas of the north, east and southern parts of Scotland have led to red weather warnings coming into effect and, as such, any motorist within these affected regions should not travel under any circumstances.
“If you are currently within more inland areas of these regions, then amber and yellow warnings are also in place, and we are asking that you do not journey out unless for essential purposes and, if you are doing so, to be mindful of the challenging conditions you will face.
“A number of local road closures and bridge restrictions may also be implemented during this period of adverse weather and we would advise the public to consult the Transport Scotland and Met Office websites for continuous and updated information.”
The red warning also covers the coast of northern England past Newcastle, Sunderland, Hartlepool and Middlesbrough and flood alerts have been issued along England’s North East coast as powerful waves are expected to “overtop sea defences”.
Amber warnings for high winds are in place for much of the eastern part of Scotland and north east England, including Dundee, Edinburgh, Newcastle and Durham.
There are yellow warnings for wind or snow covering all of Scotland, Northern Ireland, parts of northern England, much of Wales and parts of the south west of England.
Meanwhile, train operator London North Eastern Railway has issued a “do not travel” alert to customers as its services will be “significantly disrupted due to severe weather“ until Sunday.
The firm runs trains on the East Coast Main Line between London and Scotland, calling at stations including Leeds, York, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
Network Rail will close the East Coast route north of Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, from 5pm on Friday.
Passengers are being warned further closures could be imposed elsewhere on the route.
Warrick Dent, LNER safety and operations director, said: “We are encouraging our customers with tickets dated for today, November 26, and this coming weekend to defer their travel arrangements where possible.
“We expect services to be extremely busy throughout the weekend and advise customers to check our website and social channels for the latest information.”
