Police Travel Advice - Storm Bram

The Met Office has issued an AMBER Weather warning for WIND. 
AMBER Warning One
There may be a HIGH RISK OF DISRUPTION for road users in the following areas:

• Highlands & Eilean Siar (Na h-Eileanan Siar, Highland)
• Strathclyde (Argyll and Bute)
   

The AMBER warning is effective from 4pm hours on Tuesday 9th December to 11:59pm hours on Tuesday 9th December. 
The full Met Office warning can be accessed via this link – UK weather warnings - Met Office

Details:
Storm Bram will bring a spell of very strong and disruptive winds to northwest Scotland on Tuesday night. Gusts of 70-80 mph are expected for a few hours with a chance that a few places may experience gusts of up to 90 mph. Heavy rain will accompany these strong winds and may exacerbate impacts.

There is potential for large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties. Roads, bridges and railway lines may close, with delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights. Power cuts could occur and affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage. 

Damage to buildings and homes is possible, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down. Flying debris could result in a danger to life

Plan ahead and avoid unnecessary travel. All road users should consider if they really need to travel during adverse 
weather.
Consider delaying travel until conditions improve. If you are travelling on the roads, prepare yourself and your vehicle for the conditions.

Ensure your mobile phone is charged and plan your journey, including an alternative route.
Have sufficient fuel, warm clothing, food and water in case you’re delayed.
Do not ignore road closure signs – they are for your safety.
Congestion caused by vehicles may restrict emergency services and recovery vehicles from providing essential assistance.
Follow your local authority for the latest updates in your area via Facebook, Twitter/X or their website.
Other information can be found on the Met Office, Ready Scot. For public transport information visit Traveline Scotland.
Follow @policescotland and @trafficscotland on Twitter/X for up-to-date travel information.

Wind
HGV and bus drivers should drive with extreme caution and be aware you may be asked to park at a suitable position by the police.
Drivers of vehicles vulnerable to being blown over should plan their route to avoid exposed areas or consider cancelling your journey until conditions improve.
Cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians should consider the risk of being blown over or into the path of other road users. 

Rain
Drive to the conditions. Spray can reduce driver visibility
Be aware of increased stopping distances. In wet weather, stopping distances will be at least double those required for stopping on dry roads.
Driving through areas of flooding can result in catastrophic damage to your vehicle. It may also result in the road becoming blocked with recovery required and may delay emergency services and road maintenance workers.

Further Warnings
This AMBER warning runs in conjunction with three YELLOW warnings issued for RAIN and WIND. 

YELLOW warning one:
The Met Office has issued a YELLOW Weather warning for WIND. As such, conditions for travel in the following areas may be hazardous and EXTRA CAUTION should be exercised by all road users.

• Grampian (Moray)
• Highlands and Eilean Siar (Highland and Na h-Eileanan Siar)
• Orkney and Shetland (Orkney Islands)
• Strathclyde (Argyll and Bute, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, Renfrewshire)
   

The YELLOW warning is effective from 12pm hours on Tuesday 9th December to 12pm on Wednesday 10th December.