Trains between Glasgow and London have been disrupted by damage to overhead electric lines caused by a fallen tree in southern Scotland.
Avanti West Coast * said all lines were blocked between Lockerbie and Carstairs and services would be affected until 14:00. Some services scheduled to start in Glasgow are now * starting in Preston, Lancashire, and experiencing delays of several hours.
Ticket holders have been advised that they can travel * on alternative services on the east coast * rail line for no extra cost or get a refund.
Network Rail Scotland said work to repair the lines damaged by the fallen tree near Beattock was “well under way” and they were on target * to reopen the line at about 11:30.
Passengers waiting overnight on the Caledonian Sleeper * service, including BBC political editor Chris Mason, were told in the early hours of the morning that they had still not left Glasgow Central because a tree had come down on the line.
Allow X content?
A statement from Avanti West Coast * said: “Due to damage to the overhead electric wires between Lockerbie and Carstairs, all lines are blocked.
“Train services running through these stations may be cancelled or delayed. Please check your journey.”
The Aberdeen to Inverness railway line is also closed because of a fallen tree between Dyce and Kintore, as Scotland faced a band of wind rain moved eastward from the Atlantic overnight.
ScotRail said train tickets were being accepted on Stagecoach bus services while services are suspended between Aberdeen and Inverurie.
How else can I travel?
All Avanti West Coast * trains running on the mainline * have been affected by the closed line.
The operator has arranged for passengers travelling through Scotland to have their tickets accepted by other train companies at no extra cost. They are:
- TransPennine * Express between Preston and Glasgow/Edinburgh and between Manchester and York in both directions;
- CrossCountry between Glasgow and Edinburgh and Birmingham New Street;
- Northern between Carlisle and Newcastle/Leeds;
- Scotrail between Glasgow and Edinburgh;
- LNER between Edinburgh and London Kings Cross *.
Coach travel * has also been booked between Glasgow Central, Edinburgh, Preston and Carlisle.
Avanti trains running south of Preston are likely to be delayed by up to two hours.
Tickets for journeys with delays of more than 15 minutes are eligible for compensation or refunds.
A statement from Avanti West Coast * added: “If you no longer wish * to travel * because your train's delayed or cancelled, you can request a full refund from where you bought your ticket.”
