Published: Thursday, 18th January, 2007 09:52
Battered Burgh
Print Article
STORMY weather has been causing chaos across the country — and the Burgh has not escaped Mother Nature's clutches.
In Helensburgh part of a busy street had to be cordoned off when gale-force winds ripped a piece of chimney from a block of flats and Hermitage Academy was closed as high winds took their toll (see separate panel).
Police closed a section of West King Street last Thursday until a detached chimney pot, which had become lodged between roof tiles and a TV aerial, could be safely removed.
The stretch of road between Colquhoun Street and Sinclair Street was blocked off with barricades and police tape.
A policeman at the scene said: `A section of road has been closed to traffic as a precautionary measure. The tenants have been notified and asked not to use the front entrance to the building.`
One woman who lives in the building said: `I can't get in through my front door.
`The chimney came down the day before yesterday and I think it seems quite secure. These are sturdy old buildings. They have been up for 90 odd years. I don't know why they have blocked it off.`
The road was reopened on Sunday.
On Friday morning three cars were involved in a collision on the road between Rhu and Helensburgh while the stormy weather was at its worst and the winds caused disrupted to commuters when there was a landslip on the train line near Dalreoch tunnel.
Buses were laid on to take stranded passengers between stations while diggers worked to clear the debris from the tracks.
Rain caused mayhem near Faslane and workers at the naval base came to the aid of commuters stuck in their vehicles.
One woman was trapped with her two-year-old daughter when her car engine was flooded by rain water.
She told the Advertiser: `The men pushed my vehicle out of the flood and ensured that my daughter and I were fine before going to the aid of other stranded motorists. These men deserve a medal for the amount of people they helped.`
The road was later closed due to flooding, as was the Garelochhead junction with the A817. The junction of the B831 and B832 at Helensburgh was also shut off.
Del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
Heart fund's £23,000