ScotRail services return to normal after weekend of heavy rain

ScotRail had cancelled all direct services between the central belt and Aberdeen and Inverness

Train services between central Scotland and Aberdeen and Inverness are back to normal after a weekend of heavy rain, ScotRail says.

A Met Office yellow weather warning was in place across north east Scotland from Thursday until Sunday.

It covered areas badly hit by Storm Babet flooding last week, which claimed three lives in Scotland.

ScotRail said most speed restrictions had been removed and work was ongoing to make sure trains run as normal.

The train operator had cancelled all direct services between the central belt and Aberdeen and Inverness at the weekend.

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It said there may still be some disruption early on Monday and urged passengers to check their journeys before travelling.

On Sunday, heavy rain also caused problems with trains between Bathgate and Edinburgh.

ScotRail said the volume of rainwater caused their signalling system to short-circuit.

Safety checks will be carried out in the Highlands on the line between Inverness and Wick.

The weather warning was extended to Perth where some roads had been closed after flooding

David Simpson, ScotRail service delivery director, said: "The vast majority of services will operate as normal, and we look forward to welcoming passengers.

"Our first priority is always the safety of customers and staff, and we only run services when we are absolutely sure the lines are safe."

The Met Office yellow warning was extended on Sunday to include the north east Highlands and parts of central Scotland.

It already covered Perthshire, Angus and Aberdeenshire, which were among the worst-affected areas during Storm Babet.

This brought two rare red weather alerts for parts of eastern Scotland.

Torrential rain and high winds saw rivers burst their banks, flooding defences breached, homes damaged and dozens of people rescued.