Rain causes havoc across district

Nov 30 2011 by Paul Thomson, East Kilbride News

TORRENTIAL rain caused havoc across the East Kilbride district yesterday (Tuesday) as roads were closed and a bus load of children became stranded on their way to school.

The school children were led to safety by officers from Strathclyde Fire and Rescue.

Firefighters evacuated nine children and three adults from the stranded bus and delivered the group safely to Sandford Primary.

Motorists also had to be rescued from their vehicles when the Kype Water burst its banks.

Stroud Road and the approach to the bridge at Newhousemill Road were some of the worst areas hit by flooding as motorists had to negotiate some treacherous conditions throughout the day.

The road was subsequently closed as nearby fields became saturated with water which spilled onto the road, blocking traffic in both directions.

Other roads across Strathaven were also affected by heavy overnight downpours.

There were delays on the railway tracks as trains between East Kilbride and Glasgow Central were hit by lengthy delays due to flooding on the line.

A spokesperson for South Lanarkshire Council said: “The torrential rain over the past couple of days and especially through Monday night caused flooding problems across South Lanarkshire, mainly in the rural areas.

“In the East Kilbride area, we were forced to close the B7086 just east of Sandford crossroads because of flooding.

“We also had no choice but to close the A724 Hamilton Road/Glasgow Road, Blantyre from its junction with Flemington Road to Blantyre Farm Road.

“Both of these roads will be re-opened as soon as conditions and resources permit.

“However our main priority, as always, is to protect life and property throughout the council area.

“We also experienced similar problems on the A726, East Kilbride to Strathaven Road, but thankfully we managed to keep this road open.”