The ScotRail Alliance says it will try very hard by working night and day to keep trains and passengers moving during the snow and ice forecast for the rest of this week.
The Met Office extended an amber weather warning for snow and ice to cover much of Scotland which has now been upgraded to red. Safety is the Alliance’s priority, and is central to everything the organisation does.
Over the coming days Network Rail will:
– Use a £1million winter train to defrost points.
– Use snow ploughs across the network.
– Have staff clearing snow from the tracks.
– Deploy ‘chainsaw gangs’ to clear fallen branches and debris from the tracks.
– Use a ‘wire sweeper’ overnight on some of the electrified routes. This is a train that will run tonight after the service has wound down to keep the overhead lines clear of icicles.
ScotRail staff will grit stations and there will be extra staff at stations to help customers.
Most ScotRail services are scheduled to run over the coming days, but after the weather warnings from the Met Office a small number of services will be cancelled or subject to alteration on Wednesday and Thursday.
Full details are available at www.scotrail.co.uk/snow.
Customers are advised that their journey may take longer than normal, as speed restrictions and regular track testing will be in place throughout the day.
Customers should download the ScotRail app, visit @ScotRail on Twitter, or visit journeycheck.com/scotrail for the most up to date information.
Mark Ilderton, Head of Integrated Control at the ScotRail Alliance, said: “ScotRail Alliance teams across the country will be working flat out to keep people moving over the next few days. From snow ploughs travelling the network to staff gritting station platforms to keep them safe, we’ll be doing everything we can to get people where they need to be.
“The safety of our staff and customers is our priority, and is central to every decision we take.
“The vast majority of our services will run, but following the latest advice from the Met Office we have had to cancel or amend some services on Wednesday and Thursday. Journeys will also take a bit longer as speed restrictions will be in place.
“We are advising all customers to check @ScotRail on Twitter, download our app, or visit journeycheck.com/scotrail for the most up to date information before travelling.”
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