
Most homes that lost power during Storm Floris reconnected
The Scottish Government said transport services are almost back to normal, and that engineers are continuing to restore power to homes and businesses, with the worst affected areas in Inverness, Dornoch, and the Moray Coast.
The Scottish Government also said 98% of the 71,000 homes that lost power are now restored, with the remaining 1,600 set to be reconnected over Tuesday evening.
Ms Constance thanked responders who assisted in reconnecting the public and businesses with electricity.
She said: 'I want to thank everyone in the public, private and third sector for the role they played in responding to Storm Floris.
'It was a significant and unseasonal storm with the worst affected areas covering a wide geographical spread.
'Engineers have worked tirelessly over the past two days to return power to the remaining affected properties as soon as possible.
'Energy companies continue to provide support to customers, including ensuring provisions are in place for the most vulnerable.'
It comes as thousands of customers spent a second night without power after Storm Floris swept in on Monday.
Tens of thousands of people were left without power after high winds earlier in the week, which reached speeds of up to 90mph.
The company said that hundreds of engineers have been out on the network since first light on Wednesday morning working to reconnect homes.
It said that 95% of customers who lost supplies due to Storm Floris have been reconnected.
Andy Smith, SSEN's director of customer operations for the north of Scotland, said late on Tuesday: 'Storm Floris has been unusually powerful, especially for a storm at this time of year.
'It's brought down many trees that have endured several previous storms, and it's caused some network damage.'
He added: 'I'd like to thank our customers for their understanding and patience while we go about this massive task; we're doing our best to give people realistic, informed estimates of when we'll get their power back on.
'I'm also grateful to the teams from our contract partners and other network operators for supporting our effort.'
An amber weather warning was in place for an area stretching from the central belt to northern Scotland for much of the day on Monday while the rest of the country was covered by a yellow weather warning.
The storm also caused significant disruption to Scotland's rail network.
Network Rail said teams have been working 'tirelessly' to repair damage to infrastructure such as overhead lines and to clear fallen trees and debris from the tracks.
The storm also led to delays in exam results being delivered to pupils in some island communities on SQA results day on Tuesday.
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Glasgow Times
3 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Fewer than 1,000 Scottish homes still without power after Storm Floris
By 9.30pm on Wednesday, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) said there were around 950 homes, mainly in the Highlands, that were still without power as a result of the weather. Around 98.6% of customers (71,000) have been reconnected as hundreds of engineers worked into the evening in affected areas for as long as daylight allowed. SSEN said the teams will return to continue to repair the network on Thursday morning. The company added: 'SSEN thanks customers for their understanding and patience while we continue to repair the network and reconnect customers as safely and quickly as possible.' Justice and Home Affairs Minister Angela Constance said the storm had a particular impact on power and transport infrastructure across the country, resulting in a major mobilisation of utility companies, national agencies and local authorities. Justice and Home Affairs Minister Angela Constance (Jane Barlow/PA) The Scottish Government said transport services are almost back to normal, and engineers are continuing to restore power to homes and businesses. Ms Constance thanked responders who assisted in reconnecting the public and businesses. She said: 'I want to thank everyone in the public, private and third sector for the role they played in responding to Storm Floris. 'It was a significant and unseasonal storm with the worst affected areas covering a wide geographical spread. 'Engineers have worked tirelessly over the past two days to return power to the remaining affected properties as soon as possible. 'Energy companies continue to provide support to customers, including ensuring provisions are in place for the most vulnerable.' Thousands of customers spent a second night without power after Storm Floris swept in on Monday. Tens of thousands were left without power after winds reached speeds of up to 90mph earlier in the week. An amber weather warning was in place for an area stretching from the central belt to northern Scotland for much of the day on Monday while the rest of the country was covered by a yellow weather warning. The storm also caused significant disruption to Scotland's rail network. Network Rail said teams had been working 'tirelessly' to repair damage to infrastructure such as overhead lines and to clear fallen trees and debris from the tracks. The storm also led to delays in exam results being delivered to pupils in some island communities on SQA results day on Tuesday.


Powys County Times
3 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Fewer than 1,000 Scottish homes still without power after Storm Floris
Fewer than 1,000 homes affected by Storm Floris are still without power after crews spent Wednesday restoring supplies to thousands. By 9.30pm on Wednesday, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) said there were around 950 homes, mainly in the Highlands, that were still without power as a result of the weather. Around 98.6% of customers (71,000) have been reconnected as hundreds of engineers worked into the evening in affected areas for as long as daylight allowed. SSEN said the teams will return to continue to repair the network on Thursday morning. The company added: 'SSEN thanks customers for their understanding and patience while we continue to repair the network and reconnect customers as safely and quickly as possible.' Justice and Home Affairs Minister Angela Constance said the storm had a particular impact on power and transport infrastructure across the country, resulting in a major mobilisation of utility companies, national agencies and local authorities. The Scottish Government said transport services are almost back to normal, and engineers are continuing to restore power to homes and businesses. Ms Constance thanked responders who assisted in reconnecting the public and businesses. She said: 'I want to thank everyone in the public, private and third sector for the role they played in responding to Storm Floris. 'It was a significant and unseasonal storm with the worst affected areas covering a wide geographical spread. 'Engineers have worked tirelessly over the past two days to return power to the remaining affected properties as soon as possible. 'Energy companies continue to provide support to customers, including ensuring provisions are in place for the most vulnerable.' Thousands of customers spent a second night without power after Storm Floris swept in on Monday. Tens of thousands were left without power after winds reached speeds of up to 90mph earlier in the week. An amber weather warning was in place for an area stretching from the central belt to northern Scotland for much of the day on Monday while the rest of the country was covered by a yellow weather warning. The storm also caused significant disruption to Scotland's rail network. Network Rail said teams had been working 'tirelessly' to repair damage to infrastructure such as overhead lines and to clear fallen trees and debris from the tracks. The storm also led to delays in exam results being delivered to pupils in some island communities on SQA results day on Tuesday.


The Herald Scotland
4 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Colleges need urgent reform to escape survival mode
The scale of change we face globally is immense. From artificial intelligence and climate disruption to demographic shifts and youth mental health pressures, the world of work is also transforming fast. There's a skills shortage for people in middle to later life, coupled with the rapid pace of change that jobs and roles are going through. Nearly half of current jobs could vanish or evolve in the next decade. I previously co-authored the Entrepreneurial Campus Blueprint for the Scottish Government. As with that research, for colleges I was keen to look at not what current best practice in Scotland or the UK is, but what is considered "World Class Technical Vocational Education and Training Delivery" as I believe that provides a more valuable benchmark. But what does world class look like? It starts with colleges being at the heart of government priorities – priorities which are set in consultation with employers to help connect what the economy needs to the education and training on offer. Countries that are doing well at providing great vocational training are often funding their colleges from their Economy portfolio, or equivalent departments. This instantly clarifies that colleges provide skilled workers who add to economic growth and enhance national prosperity. World class is also about esteem – at the top of the league, colleges are recognised and valued politically and socially, by the media and by parliamentarians, as part and parcel of critical infrastructure which supports economic growth. There is alignment with economic policy and recognition of the social role that colleges play in their communities. Read more: Around the world, vocational systems are modernising at pace. Colleges are pivoting to blended, immersive, employer-led models. Online learning, AI, and credentials aligned to business needs are now standard. High-performing colleges in other countries partner closely with industry and have centralised core digital and innovation functions. Colleges are marketing their courses internationally to bring in additional income and gain financial sustainability, and again listening closely to what employers and students want. World class also means that in the classroom, hands-on learning is balanced with digital access, with great online blended learning offers, suited to both the learner and employer. And as organisations, colleges that are thriving in other places are resilient, nimble, and recognised for what they truly are: engines of transformation. Currently, however, colleges in Scotland are in survival mode. But Scotland could turn this around. To do this, colleges need greater and more stable investment and stronger political recognition for the work they do for individuals, families, employers and communities. The economic and social impact of colleges should also be much more highly recognised. The themes I've reported on are already happening. The future is now. I'm clear this future should include colleges at the heart of a world-class technical vocational education and training system in Scotland. Professor Joe Little is Digital Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Stirling.