Irish, Scottish storm damage: tree-mendous

A historic level of damage was caused by Storm Éowyn. So much so, that it has been compared to the Great Storm of 1987, which famously (if erroneously) reduced Sevenoaks ion Kent to one oak – the other six were claimed to have been blown into neighbouring Essex. Nevertheless, the clean up after last week’s gales has left the rail network with a huge task.

Although the winds subsided on Friday, railway engineers were still out on lines around the UK, notably in Ireland and Scotland, restoring services. By Wednesday, the exposed west coastal line to Stranraer still remained closed – although the local football team managed to fulfil a league fixture in Bonnyrigg, near Edinburgh on Tuesday night. Those travelling in support needed a replacement bus service for the first leg of their journey to Ayr.

Just another January in Scotland

In Ireland, the last storm-en…