Residents across Perth and Kinross are contending with the lingering effects of Storm Floris, which brought fierce winds and significant rainfall to the region on Monday. The severe weather event, for which the Met Office had issued both yellow and amber warnings, led to widespread disruption throughout central Scotland and particularly impacted local communities within our area.
A primary concern for many households in Perthshire and Kinross-shire remains the intermittent electricity supply. Areas such as Meikleour, Highland Perthshire, Callander, Crieff, Comrie, Stanley, Coupar Angus, Dunkeld, Milnathort, Methven, Braco, Pitlochry, and Kinloch Rannoch were among those reporting power cuts. Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) acknowledged the extensive nature of these disruptions and indicated that a full restoration of power to all affected customers might extend beyond Monday. The utility provider had proactively deployed additional field engineers and control room staff in anticipation of the storm, and urged vulnerable customers to consult their online live power outage tracker for specific updates. Roads and Bridges Face Lingering Challenges
The road network bore a considerable brunt of the storm’s intensity. In Perthshire, the A85 near St Fillans experienced restrictions due to a fallen tree, while a section of the A9 at Birnam faced temporary closure in both directions after a power cable came down, requiring motorists to seek alternative routes. Further south, the A9 near Dunblane was also affected by a traffic incident, although it has since reopened. Local routes connecting to Stirling also saw impacts, with the B821 Cuilt Brae and parts of the A873 between Thornhill and Aberfoyle experiencing closures or significant debris from fallen trees. These incidents underscored the vulnerability of key arterial routes and local access roads during such extreme weather.
Bridge infrastructure also faced considerable strain. The Tay Road Bridge initially imposed restrictions, closing to double-decker buses and implementing a 30mph speed limit, before temporarily closing to all vehicles due to exceptionally high winds. It later reopened for cars and single-decker buses under a continued speed restriction. Similarly, the Forth Road Bridge, Queensferry Crossing, and Kincardine Bridge imposed restrictions for high-sided vehicles, creating knock-on effects for journeys in and out of Perth and Kinross. Public Transport and Local Services Affected
Public transport networks experienced substantial alterations. Train services operating north of Perth and Fife were particularly impacted, with LNER cancelling all journeys north of Newcastle on Monday. Network Rail confirmed broader cancellations for all trains operating north of Perth and Fife from Monday noon onwards, with remaining routes subject to reduced timetables and a mandatory 50mph speed limit for safety. A fallen tree on overhead wires near Cornton, close to Stirling, caused further track blockages, though crews worked swiftly to clear it. Bus operators like Stagecoach East Scotland rerouted services, notably diverting Fife to Dundee routes via Perth. Citylink and Megabus services on the M90 and M92 were also affected, bypassing stops at Halbeath and Kinross due to bridge closures.
Beyond critical infrastructure, several local attractions and public services adjusted their operations. In Perthshire, the gardens at Scone Palace were closed for visitor safety, although the palace itself remained open at a reduced admission fee. The National Wallace Monument in Stirling also ceased operations for the day, offering refunds or rebookings. Waste and recycling centres, including Lower Polmaise near Stirling, suspended services due to the adverse conditions. Local authorities in Angus similarly halted bin collections and closed recycling centres, advising residents on temporary waste management. Libraries and other cultural facilities across the broader region also closed early or entirely. Continued Vigilance and Recovery Efforts
In response to the widespread disruption, Police Scotland reissued vital safety guidelines. The public was strongly advised to ensure mobile phones are fully charged, plan journeys meticulously with alternative routes in mind, and carry essential supplies such as extra fuel, warm clothing, food, and water, especially if travel is unavoidable. Law enforcement emphasized the critical importance of adhering to all road closure signs, as disregarding them could impede emergency and recovery services. Residents were encouraged to continuously monitor updates from local authorities, official weather forecasts, and travel information platforms to stay informed during the ongoing recovery phase.
As the region transitions into Tuesday, significant efforts are underway to fully restore power supplies and clear remaining obstructions from transport routes, as communities across Perth and Kinross work towards a return to normalcy following Storm Floris.
A primary concern for many households in Perthshire and Kinross-shire remains the intermittent electricity supply. Areas such as Meikleour, Highland Perthshire, Callander, Crieff, Comrie, Stanley, Coupar Angus, Dunkeld, Milnathort, Methven, Braco, Pitlochry, and Kinloch Rannoch were among those reporting power cuts. Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) acknowledged the extensive nature of these disruptions and indicated that a full restoration of power to all affected customers might extend beyond Monday. The utility provider had proactively deployed additional field engineers and control room staff in anticipation of the storm, and urged vulnerable customers to consult their online live power outage tracker for specific updates. Roads and Bridges Face Lingering Challenges
The road network bore a considerable brunt of the storm’s intensity. In Perthshire, the A85 near St Fillans experienced restrictions due to a fallen tree, while a section of the A9 at Birnam faced temporary closure in both directions after a power cable came down, requiring motorists to seek alternative routes. Further south, the A9 near Dunblane was also affected by a traffic incident, although it has since reopened. Local routes connecting to Stirling also saw impacts, with the B821 Cuilt Brae and parts of the A873 between Thornhill and Aberfoyle experiencing closures or significant debris from fallen trees. These incidents underscored the vulnerability of key arterial routes and local access roads during such extreme weather.
Bridge infrastructure also faced considerable strain. The Tay Road Bridge initially imposed restrictions, closing to double-decker buses and implementing a 30mph speed limit, before temporarily closing to all vehicles due to exceptionally high winds. It later reopened for cars and single-decker buses under a continued speed restriction. Similarly, the Forth Road Bridge, Queensferry Crossing, and Kincardine Bridge imposed restrictions for high-sided vehicles, creating knock-on effects for journeys in and out of Perth and Kinross. Public Transport and Local Services Affected
Public transport networks experienced substantial alterations. Train services operating north of Perth and Fife were particularly impacted, with LNER cancelling all journeys north of Newcastle on Monday. Network Rail confirmed broader cancellations for all trains operating north of Perth and Fife from Monday noon onwards, with remaining routes subject to reduced timetables and a mandatory 50mph speed limit for safety. A fallen tree on overhead wires near Cornton, close to Stirling, caused further track blockages, though crews worked swiftly to clear it. Bus operators like Stagecoach East Scotland rerouted services, notably diverting Fife to Dundee routes via Perth. Citylink and Megabus services on the M90 and M92 were also affected, bypassing stops at Halbeath and Kinross due to bridge closures.
Beyond critical infrastructure, several local attractions and public services adjusted their operations. In Perthshire, the gardens at Scone Palace were closed for visitor safety, although the palace itself remained open at a reduced admission fee. The National Wallace Monument in Stirling also ceased operations for the day, offering refunds or rebookings. Waste and recycling centres, including Lower Polmaise near Stirling, suspended services due to the adverse conditions. Local authorities in Angus similarly halted bin collections and closed recycling centres, advising residents on temporary waste management. Libraries and other cultural facilities across the broader region also closed early or entirely. Continued Vigilance and Recovery Efforts
In response to the widespread disruption, Police Scotland reissued vital safety guidelines. The public was strongly advised to ensure mobile phones are fully charged, plan journeys meticulously with alternative routes in mind, and carry essential supplies such as extra fuel, warm clothing, food, and water, especially if travel is unavoidable. Law enforcement emphasized the critical importance of adhering to all road closure signs, as disregarding them could impede emergency and recovery services. Residents were encouraged to continuously monitor updates from local authorities, official weather forecasts, and travel information platforms to stay informed during the ongoing recovery phase.
As the region transitions into Tuesday, significant efforts are underway to fully restore power supplies and clear remaining obstructions from transport routes, as communities across Perth and Kinross work towards a return to normalcy following Storm Floris.