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Rail services are being hampered by heavy rain, snowstorms, 70 mph gales and even landslides ahead of New Year’s Eve.
Millions of revellers fear a New Year’s Eve washout as storms heading south look set to wreak havoc across the United Kingdom.
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations have already been cancelled as warnings are issued for nearly every part of the country.
Rising river levels have led to closures of the Dalguise viaduct lines as the Highland Main Line remains closed in Kingussie.
A Network Rail Scotland spokesman said they were dealing with 15 flooding incidents on the Far North Line and a landslip near Brora.
Do not travel warnings have been issued with rivers feared to burst their banks in other areas of Scotland before storms sweep southward over New Year’s Eve.
Three days of warnings are in place with heavy rain turning to blusters of snow showers on Wednesday which will continue through the night in Scotland.
London’s City Hall has said it is “closely monitoring” the weather with thousands expected to flock to Big Ben for the capital’s fireworks display despite the 41mph gusts expected.
Network Rail have said lines along the Dalguise viaduct “have now risen past the safe limit for trains to run”.
Barney Davis31 December 2024 14:30
The wet and windy weather has led to traditional New Year’s Day swims to be called off across Wales.
The mayor of Newport in Pembrokeshire took to social media to announce the town’s event would be cancelled, adding: “As the tide will be out we would have to swim from the beach and the wind and gusts have made it too dangerous.”

Hundreds of people took part in the annual New Year’s Day charity swim on Bray seafront in Co Wicklow (PA Wire)
Barney Davis31 December 2024 13:46
The iconic Forth Road Bridge was open to cars only on Tuesday morning, while the snow gates are closed on the A939 between Tomintoul and Cock Bridge.
CalMac Ferries said several services on the west coast of Scotland had been cancelled with others subject to disruption.
Further south, the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company said all Tuesday’s sailings between Heysham and Douglas have been cancelled.
Forth Road Bridge (Robin McKelvie)
Barney Davis31 December 2024 13:20
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) issued an alert for “severe” flooding just after 6am, telling residents in the Aviemore and Dalfaber areas to “act now”, however this was downgraded by 7.45am with no “severe” flood warnings in place.
Highland Council had previously advised guests staying at Aviemore Holiday Park to seek alternative accommodation due to the “imminent” risk of flooding, while Sepa had said evacuations were expected.
Sepa said river levels began to rise on Tuesday morning, rather than overnight as expected.
It said: “Overnight, water levels on the River Spey did not rise as expected. It did begin to rise early on Tuesday morning and that will continue into the day. Less rain fell overnight than was forecast, but is continuing to affect the area.”
Barney Davis31 December 2024 13:00
Heavy winds are battering the coast of Blackpool proving just why a planned fireworks display was cancelled.
An update on the Visit Blackpool website said the rest of the New Year’s Eve Family Party would still go ahead in the Lancashire seaside resort, with a projection show on the tower to mark the start of the new year.

(Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

(Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

(Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
Barney Davis31 December 2024 12:36
The A832 Fortrose to Avoch in Black Isle is closed due to a landslide.
Police Scotland received reports of the landslide at 8.30am on Tuesday, 31 December, affecting both sides of the road.
The force said the road is likely to remain closed for some time. “Motorists should plan ahead and follow diversions.”
Barney Davis31 December 2024 12:20

(Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

(Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

(Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

(Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
Barney Davis31 December 2024 12:00
The organisers of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay have issued an apology to tourists who have travelled to the Scottish capital for the midnight fireworks display.
An Indian tourist who travelled with his wife and four children to Edinburgh for the celebrations told Good Morning Britain they are “very disappointed”.
He added: “We were in London and we came here just for Hogmanay.”
Another visitor described the decision as “heart-breaking”, while his travel companion added: “It’s super disappointing. We are trying to figure out something else to do but we are totally clueless.”
Scottish Culture Secretary Angus Robertson defended the “undoubtedly” correct decision to cancel.
He told Radio 4’s Today programme: “The organisers believe that they took the decision quite early for the reason that they wanted to be able to communicate to people who have been travelling now.
“I would stress whilst it is hugely disappointing that the events as planned in Princes Street, in the old town, over by the castle, the concert by Texas and so on, are not going ahead, there will be lots happening in Edinburgh.
“There will be all kinds of events, the pubs and clubs will be open.
“I’m truly sorry for everybody who has travelled but I think given the extent of the weather forecast – it’s really, really bad in some parts of the country – it’s not the right thing to proceed.”

Edinburgh’s famous Hogmanay fireworks display has been cancelled for this year (Jane Barlow/PA) (PA Archive)
Barney Davis31 December 2024 11:45
The Met Office warned “blizzard conditions are possible”, especially in the far northern regions of Sutherland and Caithness.
A 24-hour yellow warning for rain will come into force across much of Wales and north-west England from 6pm on Tuesday.
Barney Davis31 December 2024 11:30