An emergency operation has been started by Police Scotland after high winds battering the country led to key transport links being cancelled. Ferry sailings between Scotland and Northern Ireland have succumbed to the weather, leading to Police Scotland launching Operation Overflow.
Posting on the Police Scotland Dumfries & Galloway Facebook page, the force said: “Operation Overflow has been activated as of 12pm on Saturday, 21 December 2024 due to a number of ferry sailings between Cairnryan and Larne having been cancelled this weekend due to forecast high winds.”
The post continued: “Those booked on to any of the affected sailings are advised not to travel to the area as long delays are expected and should instead seek alternative travel options elsewhere. Please check with Stenaline and P&O Ferries as appropriate for updates on your sailing.
“Freight drivers attending the area are advised to follow instructions from port operators and Police Scotland about accessing the Operation Overflow site while the cancellations are in place.” The Met Office, the United Kingdom’s national climate and weather service, issued a yellow weather warning for Scotland and Northern Ireland today.
It stated that “a period of strong winds on Saturday is likely to lead to some transport disruption” telling people to expect “some delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport” and saying “it’s likely that some coastal routes, sea fronts and coastal communities will be affected by spray and/or large waves”.
The organisation also warned it is probably that “some bus and train services” would be hit, “with some journeys taking longer”, that there could be “some short term loss of power and other services”, that “delays for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges likely” and that “there is a small chance of isolated, short term loss of power“.
Ferry operator P&O Ferries also gave an update on the delays. A post on the P&O Ferries Travel Updates account on X.com – @POferriesupdate – said: “Due to adverse weather, all sailings between #POLarne and #POCairnryan are cancelled from 20:00 tonight (21st Dec) until 20:00 on 22nd December.
“Please do not travel to the port if your sailing has been cancelled, due to congestion. Apologies for the inconvenience.” A second post on the site, formerly known as Twitter, said: “If you have been affected by cancellations, please call us on 01304 44 88 88 between 0900-1700, to discuss your options. Please note we’re currently receiving a large number of calls.”
In 2018, lorries toppled over while on board a P&O Ferry on the same route. The European Causeway had travelled from Larne, in Northern Ireland, to Cairnryan Ferry Terminal, in Wigtownshire, when it was caught in high winds. Several ambulances were sent to the scene along with police, the fire and rescue service and the coastguard, after six vehicles shifted on board, causing damage.
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