Borders Buses cancels most services as Storm Boelo batters region
Last updated 23 minutes ago
Borders Buses has announced all of its services have been cancelled for the remainder of the day, with the exception of only two routes in Berwick, as Storm Boelo causes widespread disruption across the region.
Winds of up to 80mph have brought down trees, blocking roads and felling power lines - leaving some homes and businesses without power.
And Hawick High Street has been closed at the request of the police due to an insecure roof. Scottish Borders Council says this closure is likely to remain in place until tomorrow morning at the earliest.
Sharon Morrison, communications director at Borders Buses, said: “We fully appreciate the disruption cancelling services causes to our customers, particularly those who rely on our buses every day.
"However, with severe weather, fallen trees and blocked roads across the Borders, we have had to make the difficult decision to suspend most services for the remainder of today.
The B1 and 418 services will continue to operate today (Sunday), with normal service expected to resume on Monday.
“The safety of our drivers and customers will always come first," Ms Morrison continued. "It's not a decision we've taken lightly but, given the conditions, it's absolutely the right one.
“We'd like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding, and our drivers and operational teams for their efforts in extremely challenging conditions.”
Scottish Borders Council says it has chainsaw teams "working very hard to open as many routes as possible".
"At times it is not safe for teams to clear a road straight away," a spokesperson added, "but we will get to them as soon as it’s safe to do so."
An amber weather warning remains in force across the Scottish Borders and North Northumberland, along with an underlying yellow warning, until 9pm tonight.
Some of the main issues of the day include the A1 being closed due to fallen power cables near the Ayton junction. The B709 was also closed between Innerleithen and Heriot due to concern for overhanging cables.
Lilliardsedge Holiday Park, near Ancrum, announced it would remain closed for the rest of the day following a power outage, reported shortly before 6am.
Speed restrictions have been introduced on the East Coast Main Line, and train passengers are being urged to check before they travel, with some services suspended as a precaution.
Although ScotRail says an issue with subsidence reported at Gorebridge is no longer affecting trains on the Borders Railway.
Many events across the region have been curtailed or cancelled, but Jedburgh Running Festival went ahead, without the wheelchair and handbike races which were cancelled after the weather warnings were first announced.
The Homestead Cafe in Coldstream was offering free soup to anyone locally who has lost power. Although a tree this afternoon blocked the entrance to the Hirsel Estate.
A council spokesperson added: "Wind speeds are expected to drop later in the afternoon, however they will remain potentially disruptive throughout the evening."
Northumberland County Council has announced a number of its recycling centres are closed due to high winds, including Berwick, Wooler and Alnwick.
Eyemouth Community Recycling Centre is also shut.
A further yellow weather warning for wind has been issued for Tuesday from 3am to 12noon.
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