Drivetime with Fiona Stalker
BBC Radio Scotland
Image source, Network Rail ScotlandNetwork Rail will have to inspect some 2,000 miles of track before allowing ScotRail services to resume safely
Scotland’s rail operator is dealing with more than 60 incidents of fallen trees, broken barriers and damaged overhead wires.
And David Ross, who is director of communications at ScotRail, says the full picture on the railway system is yet to be known.
Network Rail, which is responsible for tracks and cabling, will work through the night checking some 2,000 miles of tracks.
David Ross told BBC Scotland’s Drivetime programme that midday on Saturday would be the “very earliest” that services could be restored after the network was “absolutely battered”.
He added: “But, it will really depend on what our Network Rail colleagues find when they start the inspections over the course of the evening and throughout the night.”
Ross said inspections would take place via helicopter flights, special track trains and staff on foot.
Quote MessageWe ask for patience (from passengers) as we can’t flick a switch and restore services.”
David Ross, ScotRail spokesman
