Lorries blown over in 90mph winds force closure of M8 Kingston Bridge

By Mike Farrell

Lorries blown over in 90mph winds forced the closure of the M8 at the Kingston Bridge in Glasgow.

Severe gales battered Glasgow on Tuesday morning, blowing over trees and causing flooding on several roads across the city and the surrounding area.

At around 8.40am the Kingston Bridge was closed to all traffic both ways after lorries were blown over on the motorway.

Traffic Scotland said it expected the bridge to be closed for at least an hour after the lorries were blown over. The bridge reopened eastbound at around 1pm, before westbound was also opened by 2.30pm.

The River Clyde burst its banks in several places at high tide on Tuesday morning after heavy rainfall overnight.

The Met Office issued red alert warnings of severe weather for Tuesday across part of the west of Scotland, while Strathclyde Police advised people not to drive during the stormy weather unless it is "absolutely necessary".

Roofs were blown off buildings in Crowhill Street in the Parkhouse area of Glasgow, causing damage to nearby homes. Police and emergency services are at the scene of the incident, which is one of hundreds being reported across the city and the surrounding area.

An unsafe building closed the city's Byres Road in both directions between Great Western Road and Highburgh Road until it reopened at 2.45pm, while Renfrew Street in the city centre was also closed at one point because of an unsafe building.

By 1pm Strathclyde Fire and Rescue had attended 488 scenes and received 572 calls about storm-related incidents from midnight on Tuesday.

Assistant Chief Officer David Goodhew said: "Our firefighters are working hard to meet the exceptional demand we are experiencing.

"The weather has caused chaos on the roads and we have attended a number of weather related road traffic collisions. We are also taking a huge number of calls regarding damaged buildings and loose material and I'd like to take this opportunity to remind members of the public that they should not put themselves at risk in an attempt to make safe their property.

"Members of the public are also reminded that the 999 lines are for emergencies only."

Glasgow Airport remained open on Tuesday morning, however it advised travellers to check with their airlines because of expected flight cancellations and delays caused by the severe weather.

High winds and flooding blocked one lane of the M77 south of M8 J22 at Dumbreck on Tuesday, while the M74 northbound carriageway has been closed at Junction 13 since around 7.40am because of overturned lorries.

Many homes in the Argyll and Trossachs areas were left without power after the Scottish Hydro network experienced several issues related to the stormy weather.

Floods

Flooding forced the closure of the A82 between Old Kilpatrick and Duntocher at the Dunglass Roundabout on Tuesday morning after heavy rainfall, while the weather also caused the the A821 Aberfoyle to Brig O'Turk Road, known as The Dukes Pass, to shut.

Glasgow City Council confirmed on Tuesday morning that George Square in the city centre was closed until further notice after the Christmas tree there had been blown over in the high winds. The council confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that 32 roads remained closed in its area, which could take up to three hours to clear.

Gusts of up to 90mph were recorded at Glasgow Airport on Tuesday morning, while ScotRail said all services between Edinburgh and Glasgow Queen Street were suspended, while passengers were advised not to travel.

All services to and from Glasgow Central High Level station and to and from Edinburgh Waverley were also suspended. Bus operator Arriva Scotland suspended all services at around 9.15am because of the conditions.

The Southern Rotunda building at Pacific Quay, on the banks of the Clyde, was among the many in the area damaged by the stormy weather on Tuesday, while a fallen chimney on Byres Road in the west end forced the closure of Hillhead subway station until around 2.45pm.

Flooding in some areas of Renfrewshire left residents stranded in their homes on Tuesday.

Transport Minister Keith Brown urged travellers to check their routes before leaving their homes.

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