A climate change expert has warned more lives will be lost to horrendous weather conditions if there is not a massive upgrade of Scotland’s road and rail network.
Bob Ward, policy director at the Grantham Research Institute on climate change at the London School of Economics, was speaking after yet another weekend of transport disruption due to monsoon conditions.
Last month, three people died and six others were injured when a train between Aberdeen and Glasgow struck a landslide after torrential rain south of Stonehaven.
Yesterday, another landslip in Argyll closed a section of the West Highland Line between Fort William and Crianlarich.
The debris was discovered near Bridge of Orchy, with ScotRail, Caledonian Sleeper and freight services halted on the line.
Another landslide at the Rest and Be Thankful mountain road in Argyll has also cut off a large part of the west coast by blocking the A83.
Highlighting the threat to life from extreme weather events brought on by climate change, Ward said yesterday: “The report into the crash was very upfront about it.
“Risk to life is increasing because the rail network is not being upgraded at a pace that is keeping up with its deterioration.
"Stonehaven is unlikely to be the last time we see loss of life as a consequence of climate change.”
Ward said not only are our winters becoming wetter, downpours at other times of the year are becoming more intense.
He added: “It is very basic science: a warmer atmosphere holds more water.
"It’s a trend that is only going to get worse.
“Until warming stops, the climate will continue along this path.
“Calculations will be done, asking if it is more economical to strengthen the country’s infrastructure or just pay for the damage when it happens.
“Believe me, it will not be cheaper to pay for the damage.
“Yes, it is going to cost a lot but that is what scientists have been warning for a long time.”
