Flooding caused major delays for world leader heading to Cop26 today. One train firm advised passengers ‘not’ to travel across the border due disruption after two road bridges were washed away in torrential rain.
Avanti West Coast, which operates services between London Euston (where the climate conference starts on Sunday) said that Network Rail had placed speed restrictions at several locations to ensure safety.
National Rail stated that disruptions were expected to continue until at least 1pm this evening, after which services would be ‘gradually reinstated’. It advised passengers that they should not travel north of Preston today.
Network Rail, two days before Cop26, stated that it had been ‘working very hard throughout the night’ to combat flooding along the West Coast mainline. Avanti Express and TransPennine Express were also subject to speed restrictions.
In the Dumfries and Galloway town of Annan, two footbridges – the Cuthbertson Bridge and Diamond Jubilee Bridge – were swept away as the River Annan rose. Network Rail Scotland reported that the bridges were located north of the railway and trains could not pass over a viaduct. This caused the closure of the Glasgow Central-Carlisle via Dumfries rail line.
It stated that the line would remain closed until workers could inspect the Annan Viaduct. Network Rail spokesperson said that divers are required to enter the water. We can’t do this until the river flow slows down.
Travellers traveling from London to Cop26 would normally use the West Coast train to reach Glasgow. Many are instead forced to travel by LNER from King’s Cross to Edinburgh.
But other trains were disrupted by the weather, including the Edinburgh to Glasgow Central via Shotts, Edinburgh to Glasgow Queen Street via Falkirk High and Glasgow Queen Street to Alloa/Aberdeen/Inverness services.
Major roads into Glasgow were submerged by heavy rains this week. The Great Western Road in Glasgow’s West End was also submerged. Drivers were forced to abandon their cars as a result.

Cop26 climate change summit delegates are waiting at London Euston station today as they make their way to the station.


Yesterday’s flooding on the railway line between Carlisle, Carstairs caused disruption for train passengers

Another area of flooding along the rail line between Carlisle, Carstairs, yesterday has caused disruption

Participants, workers, reporters and others wait to enter SEC in Glasgow today for the Cop26 conference.

As the Cop26 conference begins, cyclists and pedestrians cross a bridge in Glasgow.


The Met Office has issued a series weather warnings for rain in parts of Britain, which run from today through next Monday

Avanti West Coast has created this graphic that shows the main line linking Preston and Glasgow, which has been affected by flooding
Pope Francis called on the Cop26 leaders to address climate crisis and give ‘concrete hopes to future generations’. On BBC Radio 4’s Today program, he stated that ‘radical actions’ are necessary as the world faces a “succession in crises” in healthcare, the environment, and the economy.
The leader of the world’s Catholics urged countries not to adopt an isolationist approach in a Thought for the Day message. He called for a renewed sense of shared responsibility for the world.
As world leaders prepare for the crucial climate summit in Glasgow, where countries will be under pressure to raise their ambitions to address the greenhouse gas emissions that are driving climate change, his comments are timely.
The world is well on track to limit global warming below 1.5C, if nations take the necessary actions to reduce emissions within the next decade. Beyond that point, more severe consequences will be felt.
The two-week-long climate conference is seen as a key to increasing action on reducing emissions. It will deliver on the pledges made in the global Paris Agreement to limit rising temperatures to ‘well below 2C’ and strive for the safer 1.5C target.
Leaders of major economies will travel from the G20 meeting held in Rome to Scotland. Climate is expected to dominate, but key heads of state like Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping will be absent from both summits.
Countries, particularly major emitters, face calls from all walks of society, from UN chiefs to religious leaders to campaigners and campaigners to increase their efforts to achieve the 1.5C goal and avoid devastating climate impacts.
There will also be efforts to reduce coal power, increase electric vehicles, and protect forests. Meanwhile, developed countries need to finance poorer countries to help them develop cleanly and deal with the inevitable consequences of a warming planet.
Emergency services evacuated residents from Hawick, Scottish Borders overnight after declaring that 500 properties could be affected by heavy downpours and floods.
Hawick, 15 miles north from the border with England, was contacted by officers to call the Borders Water Rescue Team, Mountain Rescue and Fire Crews to assist in the evacuation of properties. Schools and health centers were also closed.
Forecasters noted that the temperatures were mild for this time year, with highs at 17.3C (63.1F in Suffolk) despite the rain. They said that the weather would remain unsettled through the weekend with another front moving in from the West today, along with further weather warnings for more rain (up to 80mm).
Today’s greatest rainfall was in Cumbria, South West England and South West England. Dartmoor was expecting up to 80mm (3.0in) of rain, more than a week’s worth compared to the average October rainfall of 215mm (8.4in). Other areas were also expected to receive 40mm (1.57in), according to the Met Office, in South West Scotland, or 60mm (2.4in), in Wales.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency issued 14 flood alerts and seven alerts today. In England, 47 alerts were issued by the Environment Agency and 23 warnings were issued. Natural Resources Wales had 33 alerts.
Peebles was the site of the River Tweed’s bank burst, and there were fears that the Teviot would follow. The town’s Teviotdale Leisure Centre was designated as a rest center to provide shelter for residents from at-risk communities. The Bourtree pub offered free tea and coffee, and said it would be open all night to accommodate them.

A police boat cruises on the River Clyde past the Cop26 conference venue, the Scottish Event Campus, in Glasgow today

Today, police and security personnel gathered outside the Scottish Event Campus in Glasgow. This is where the Cop26 summit takes place.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar walks through Glasgow in the rain this morning as he meets GMB workers in the city

Today, a group of pedestrians sheltered under umbrellas in Glasgow as they walked past a digital display at the SEC venue.

Grey skies above the SEC in Glasgow this morning, ahead of the Cop26 conference on climate change which begins this Sunday
Chief Inspector Vinnie Fisher was the local commander of the Scottish Borders.
He added that the emergency services were ensuring all those evacuated would be accommodated. Schools were closed by the Scottish Borders Council, and Teviot Health Centre was shut down by NHS Borders in Roxburghshire.

An £88million flood prevention scheme being built in Hawick is due for completion in 2023. Stuart Marshall, chairman of Hawick Flood Group said that they had been hard at work spreading sandbags.
Sepa provided an update last night stating that the River Teviot had risen to a height of 9.5 feet before receding. Families were informed that they could return home. 14 flood warnings were issued in the Borders earlier.
Schools were closed yesterday because of flooding in Peebles. Seven schools were closed in Dumfries & Galloway. Water was also gushing onto Whitesands Street in Dumfries as a result of the River Nith.
Stephen Rutt from Dumfries posted images of the river and said: “The Nith is anarchic in the best of times. It veers wildly between flood and no flow. It is something I have never seen before.
The downpours caused chaos on the roads as well as transport disruptions. Flooding closed the A709 in Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire. Traffic Scotland reported flooding on the M74 in Abington, Lanarkshire.


According to the Met Office, the weather will remain unsettled into the weekend, according to forecasters


Between 1am on Wednesday and 6pm yesterday, Honister Pass, Cumbria saw 370mm (14.6in), of rain

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency issued 14 flood alerts and seven alerts today for the country.


The Environment Agency had 47 alerts, 23 warnings and 23 alerts in place (left), while Natural Resources Wales had only 33 alerts (right).

The Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team pumping floodwater after yesterday’s heavy rains in Cumbria

Yesterday’s floods caused flooding in Cockermouth (Cumbbria), and the river levels were extremely high.
Another incident occurred six miles away from Dumfries when a landslide blocked a B725 road. Police also warned of flooding along that stretch of road from Dumfries Glencaple.
Yesterday, a Met Office yellow alert for southern Scotland and South Lanarkshire was in effect for Strathclyde (Central Scotland), Tayside, Fife, and Lothians. Forecasters are expecting more rain today with more disruption.
A yellow warning about rain was in place for Yorkshire and Humber until 3pm today. One is for South-West England and one for Wales. It lasts until 9am tonight.
Cumbria Police warns that roads may not be passable. South Lakes police tweets that the A591 Rydal – Grasmere road is impassable ‘due in part to flood waters at several locations’.
The force advised people to avoid unnecessary risks and to only travel if absolutely necessary.
Residents in Cockermouth and Keswick, Cumbria – both of which were flooded in 2015/2009 – began to lay sandbags and put up flood barriers outside their homes after the banks of the Rivers Kent (Cocker) and Derwent burst.
Yesterday evening, the Met Office tweeted that Honister Pass in Cumbria had received 370mm (14.6in), of rain between 1am on Wednesday morning and 6pm yesterday.

Londoners are protected from heavy rains by umbrellas as they make their way across London Bridge.

This morning, a commuter struggles with her umbrella as she walks through Putney in South West London.

Commuters are seen walking under umbrellas near London Bridge in the rain this morning, as the capital is impacted by wet weather

While he is making his way down a wet road, a cyclist glances at his phone as he rides along the route of a bus in front of London Bridge.

A woman walks her dog along Wimbledon Common in South West London today on a windy, wet morning

This morning, a commuter struggles with her umbrella as she walks through Putney in South West London.

Londoners cover themselves with umbrellas as they walk on a slippery pavement near London Bridge this morning.

Commuters are seen walking under umbrellas near London Bridge as wet weather hits the capital.

On their way to work, commuters are subject to heavy rain near London Bridge

Commuters are seen walking under umbrellas near London Bridge as heavy rains batter the capital.

Today, the entrance to 10 Downing Street in Westminster has been decorated with green lights to mark the start Cop26.
It reported 132mm (5.2-in) of rain at Eskdalemuir in Dumfries and Galloway over the same period.
Aidan McGivern (Met Office meteorologist) said: “These are exceptional rainfall amounts for even the wettest part of Britain, which is Cumbria on an average, as well as for the wettest portion of the year.”
Graeme Dey from Scotland’s Transport Minister said that “the conditions could potentially cause disruption to the trunk road or rail networks. Therefore, it is important that people plan their travels before they depart.
“Motorists should ensure their routes are open, follow Police Scotland’s travel advice and drive according to the conditions.
He said, “If you plan to travel by train, please consult your operator before you depart. This is especially important for cross border travellers after the disruption to services earlier.

People were photographed looking out at the River Teviot overnight from their homes in Hawick, Scottish Borders.

After torrential rainfall in Hawick, the River Teviot flows in Hawick.

After families were evacuated, the River Teviot was seen flowing fast and high in Hawick overnight.

Overnight, residents were evacuated from Hawick by a man who fitted flood defences to his Hawick home.

A man watches the swelling River Teviot at Hawick as major rainfall hits the Scottish Borders.

The River Teviot flows past an empty Hawick restaurant overnight as heavy rains batter the Scottish Borders.

After sustained heavy rain caused the River Teviot’s water level to rise, Hawick declared a major incident.

Hawick is home to approximately 500 homes. Residents were evacuated overnight.

Overnight, the River Teviot flows high in Hawick after a major incident in the town of the Scottish Borders.

Overnight, trees are submerged in the River Teviot at Hawick as major flooding hits the Scottish Borders town.

Two couples are seen admiring the River Teviot in Hawick as a result of a major incident that was declared in the town.

As a result of a major incident in Hawick, trees are seen submerged into the River Teviot.
Workers at Sellafield’s nuclear power plant were also allowed leave early, but Cumbria police advised people to stay at home.

People can be seen viewing the River Teviot at night from their homes in Hawick, Scottish Borders.

People cross a bridge to see trees submerged in River Teviot in Hawick, Scottish Borders.

As the Scottish Borders are flooded, trees are submerged into the River Teviot in Hawick.

Overnight, sandbags were seen outside a Hawick business in the Scottish Borders. The business is being threatened by flooding.

As heavy rain falls on the Scottish Borders, the River Teviot can be seen running past a partially constructed bridge in Hawick.

Overnight, heavy rains in Scotland have caused flooding to Hawick. A man is seen fitting flood defences for his house.

After heavy rains, sandbags were seen outside a Hawick house.
Ray Milner from Cumbria said he was worried that his Cockermouth house would flood for the third consecutive year in 12 years, if the forecasted river heights are realized. He stated that even if it was only slightly rainy, it makes him stressed.
“There are sensors located at various points on the river, and the Environment Agency creates computer projections using them. The one for 3am is for over three metres (10 ft).
He stated that water would enter his property if it was more than two metres (6.25ft). Gillian Jackson stated that several of her holiday homes in Cockermouth were also flooded.
According to her, “We’ve been through it before so it’s just get over it and get on with it,” she said to the BBC. “Yes, it is upsetting, but we have gotten used to it and are now ready to get on with it.
** Have you been affected by flooding today? Please send your photos to: pictures@mailonline.co.uk **