Deluge closes A92 amid major floods

Evening commuters hit by lengthy delays as they head home

A key route through Angus was struck by flood chaos for the second time in months yesterday.

The eastbound A92 Dundee to Arbroath dual carriageway was shut after heavy rains swamped the stretch between Ethiebeaton and Ardestie.

It was expected to remain closed overnight and left commuters facing a nightmare journey home, with the problems exacerbated after flooding closed Ravensby Road in Carnoustie.

The same A92 stretch was closed overnight in mid-august after torrential storms hit the area.

Heavy rains also led to motorists in Fife being stranded in floodwater.

A key Angus arterial route was closed for the second time in months yesterday on a day of rain-lashed travel chaos in Tayside and Fife.

The eastbound A92 Dundee to Arbroath dual carriageway was shut in the early afternoon after floodwater swamped the stretch between Ethiebeaton and Ardestie.

A rural route leading to the main road was also shut, adding to tea-time commuter chaos for motorists heading east.

Flooded streets in Carnoustie added to drivers’ woes.

In Fife, vehicles were reported stranded in several locations as persistent rain topped up weekend water levels.

The Angus A92 closure followed a similar situation in mid-august, when torrential storms lashed the area during a weekend in which flash flooding also closed Forfar town centre.

Police Scotland took the decision to close the eastbound section of the road around 1.30pm yesterday after drivers had battled rising floodwater, mainly in the area around the Monikie turn-off and at Muirdrum.

As a Met Office yellow weather warning remained in force until midnight last night and rain continued to fall, the situation left motorists facing lengthy journeys home through Broughty Ferry and Monifeith towards the Barry roundabout – close to Carnoustie’s flooded Ravensby Road.

A flooded underpass on the B962 Newbigging road led to further issues.

Resident Rod Mcleod said: “The water is pouring off the fields and down the road towards the A92.

“My fear is that drivers will be caught out in the dark, particularly motorcyclists.”

Bear Scotland, which is responsible for the dual carriageway, said pumps and equipment had been mobilised to tackle the flooding.

Weed growth in roadside gratings was highlighted by drivers following the August flood incident but it is understood drain and gully clearing has been carried out in the worst-hit areas during the past month.

Localised flooding also affected a number of other parts of Angus.

The A92 in Fife was also hit, with evening traffic reported to be slow around the Freuchie area.

Among other routes badly affected were roads from the New Inn roundabout near Glenrothes.

The A914 to Kettlebridge was closed and the A912 to Falkland flooded in several sections.

Firefighters were called out to Ceres where rising floodwater was causing problems in Main Street.

The A921 between Kirkcaldy and Kinghorn near the railway bridge at Seafield was another troubled spot.

Further problems were encountered by motorists on the A914 between St Michaels and Balmullo, and Cupar and Kingskettle, as well as the A915 between Lower Largo and Upper Largo.

“We advise motorists to use extra caution and to drive to conditions if out,” said a Bear Scotland spokesperson.

Picture: Paul Reid. The eastbound carriageway of the A92 between Monifieth and Carnoustie was submerged during the heavy rain.

Pictures: Paul Reid/ Steve Macdougall. Clockwise from main: Flooding under the A92 at the Newbigging turn-off caused major problems; traffic queues at Ravensby Road roundabout, Carnoustie; the Carnoustie traffic was exacerbated by temporary traffic lights for roadworks; police at the scene as cars encounter deep water on the A912 between Glenrothes and Falkland.