A SECTION of the A1 in East Lothian was closed to all vehicles on Tuesday due to high winds - while the entirety of the road from Old Craighall to the Border was shut to high-sided vehicles.
Despite the high-sided vehicle ban, two lorries overturned in separate incidents due to the weather.
One blew over between the Thistly Cross and Spott roundabouts near Dunbar at about noon, no one was injured (see image below, by Nick Mailer).
The second incident took place at the Thorntonloch Beach junction at about 12.20pm; again, no one was injured.
Both incidents did not cause any major disruption.
❗️UPDATE⌚️13:45#A1
— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) January 7, 2020
Due to some drivers choosing to ignore the advice from @policescotland - there are now TWO overturned HGV's on the A1
PLEASE do not ignore the @polscotrpu advice‼️
The ENTIRETY of the #A1 remains CLOSED to high sided vehicles @SETrunkRoads pic.twitter.com/TVfvo7cEto
Police have confirmed that the drivers of the two overturned lorries have been reported to the Procurator Fiscal and the Transport Commissioner.
In answer to many of your questions:
— Road Policing Scotland (@polscotrpu) January 7, 2020
- both drivers reported to @COPFS & Traffic Commissioner
- "closed to all high sided vehicles" means ALL high sided vehicles, laden or otherwise
- road remains open to smaller vehicles (cars, smaller vans etc)#GoSafehttps://t.co/hzuSCVjKaZ
Police had earlier warned that drivers of high-sided vehicles who ignored the ban and continue to drive on the A1 could face charges.
🚨 Police reaction after two vehicles overturned in high winds on the A1 in East Lothian. The road is closed due to weather warning. @BBCScotlandNews @trafficscotland | @policescotland | @BBCTravelScot pic.twitter.com/LIuzXxtZfB
— Connor Gillies (@ConnorGillies) January 7, 2020
The A1 was closed to all vehicles in both directions from 5am on Tuesday between Haddington and the Thistly Cross Roundabout, near Dunbar.
#A1 INFORMATION❗️
— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) January 6, 2020
The #A1 will be CLOSED⛔️ tomorrow (Tuesday 7th) from 5am between Haddington and Thistly Cross due to the high winds expected on the route.
The diversion is via #A199. Drivers are advised to plan ahead/ expect longer than normal journey times⚠️ pic.twitter.com/Gw09rMqemx
Meanwhile, the whole of the A1, from the A720 Old Craighall junction to the English Border, was later closed to high-sided vehicles for safety reasons.
⌚10.50
— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) January 7, 2020
🌬️#A1 Strong Winds🌬️
🚓🚔POLICE WARNING🚔🚓#A1 is ⛔CLOSED⛔️to high sided vehicles between #A720 at Old Craighall & the border for safety due to high winds
The #A1 remains ⛔CLOSED⛔️ both ways between the Haddington Junction and Thistly Cross to all vehicles. pic.twitter.com/DaloEFafIy
Traffic Scotland urged drivers not to ignore police warnings as wind speeds were said to be up to 68 miles per hour.
Network Rail said services were still running but there were some speed restirctions to certain types of trains on the East Coast Main Line south of Dunbar.
East Coast Buses services were also affected.
Please note that the A1 closure is affecting our 104 service and a diversion is currently in place. We'll do our best to keep you updated. https://t.co/tBjtmdG9L5
— East Coast Buses (@EastCoastBuses) January 7, 2020
The restrictions were lifted at 5am on Wednesday morning.
It is understood that the full closure of the section of road between Haddington and Thistly Cross was put into action after several high-sided vehicles were blown over on that stretch of road last month, including one of them landing on top of a police car.
An alternative route was available via the A199.
The closure came after a yellow warning for wind for East Lothian was issued by the Met Office.
The warning began at 5am and ran through till 9pm.
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