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Area surveys flood aftermath

Paul John Coulter • Published 30 Nov 2011 10:00 Mobiles Print Comments 22 Comments

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WATER WORLD: The A8 in Greenock was turned into a river yesterday.

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INVERCLYDE was one of the worst flood-hit areas in Scotland yesterday after downpours cut off all access in and out of the district.

It is estimated around 42mm (1.65in) of rain fell overnight from Monday into Tuesday, which caused traffic chaos and closed the A8 for most of yesterday.

The A8 westbound reopened at 7.45pm last night, and by this morning traffic was flowing in both directions.

A westbound stretch by Langbank was down to one lane however, with a large pothole on the carriageway.

The Gourock to Glasgow rail service is back in place, but trains on the Wemyss Bay line are being disrupted due to a landslip.

Yesterday's floods saw schools, shops and businesses all closed as the extreme weather took its toll, while rail services were badly affected and bus routes disrupted and curtailed.

In the aftermath of the chaos, local MSP Stuart McMillan has called for a top-level summit to address flooding problems in Inverclyde.

Mr McMillan said: "We again witnessed terrible flooding which caused lengthy delays and road closures.

"Firm action must be taken in Inverclyde to tackle the problem of flooding, as for too long this issue has affected local people, the local economy and livelihoods.

"I have written to the Scottish Government asking that an Inverclyde flooding summit be arranged with all relevant stakeholders."

Several local flooding hotspots were submerged by yesterday's deluge, with the West Station and Cartsburn areas particularly badly hit.

Cars were submerged at the A8 Cartsburn roundabout while side streets quickly became clogged up as desperate drivers tried to avoid flooded main routes, with police advising people not to travel unless it was essential.

Further along the trunk road, vehicles attempting to go beyond Newark Castle roundabout in Port Glasgow were turned away, and as the situation deteriorated, the road was eventually closed at Langbank roundabout - with cars told to head back towards Paisley.

At one stage the tailback of vehicles stretched towards Bishopton on the M8.

Traffic was also delayed by flooding on the A78 at the south end of Wemyss Bay at Skelmorlie, and at the marina going through Inverkip. There was also flooding on the coast road to Gourock.

Amey Highways, the agency responsible for the area's trunk roads, including the A8 and A78, deployed additional crews and resources to help deal with incidents of flooding.

Public transport was also badly hit and rail commuters faced problems if they were either trying to return to Inverclyde or leaving it to get home.

Due to flooding between Drumfrochar and Branchton and at Bishopton, train services to and from Wemyss Bay and Gourock were withdrawn, with a shuttle service operating between Glasgow Central and Paisley Gilmour Street.

Replacement buses were laid on from Paisley to Gourock and Wemyss Bay but were unable to call in at Bishopton, Langbank and Woodhall due to flooding.

Buses were also severely disrupted with operators McGill's telling passengers to prepare for lengthy delays as a number of local services were cancelled.

The operator also implemented a contingency plan at 5pm in an effort to get as many of its passengers home from Glasgow as possible.

All but two secondary schools avoided closure as the full effect of the weather took its toll.

St Stephen's and Port Glasgow High schools remained open but Inverclyde Council education chiefs took the decision to close Inverclyde Academy, Notre Dame High and St Columba's High.

Clydeview Academy, which was supposed to celebrate its official opening yesterday, also had to shut its doors.

The primary schools which fell victim to the extreme weather conditions included Overton, St Francis and St Mary's primaries and Glenburn School.

James Watt College was forced to close both its Finnart Street and Waterfront campuses and called off all evening classes.

Libraries across Inverclyde and Greenock's McLean Museum were also forced to close for the day.

Meanwhile, those who braved the conditions and managed to get out for some shopping were left disappointed, as the Oak Mall centre was washed out and didn't open until noon.

Centre staff battled for several hours to clear the mall of water.

Claire Jefcoate, centre manager, said: "Due to a problem in the Westburn area of West Blackhall Street, a council drain overflowed into the shopping centre, causing extensive flooding.

"The centre opened to the public at noon following a major clean-up operation. Some shops remained closed due to flood damage or staffing issues."

Residents in Port Glasgow and Gourock were left further dismayed when council chiefs were left with no option but to cancel their Christmas lights switch-on events over health and safety fears.

A spokeswoman for the council said: "This is an unfortunate outcome, however we hope Inverclyde residents understand considering the conditions.

"Our other switch-on events in Greenock, Kilmacolm, Quarriers Village, Inverkip and Wemyss Bay are still planned to run later this week."

Elsewhere, ambulances in Inverclyde experienced some delays because of flooding near their Knowe Road base but bosses said the service was not badly affected.

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Ambulance Service told the Tele: "There have been some delays in getting out and about but these have not been extensive."

Inverclyde's largest housing association, River Clyde Homes, also experienced problems getting to emergency repair call-outs because of the weather and traffic trouble.

This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 30 Nov 11

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