Freak storm in Edinburgh leaves shops and train tracks flooded

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Roads and rail tracks were left submerged causing travel chaos across the Scottish capital (Picture: @nicolaawilson/@NetworkRailSCOT/Twitter)Parts of Edinburgh were left underwater yesterday after a freak storm hit the Scottish capital.
A torrential downpour caused businesses to flood, while inundated rail tracks triggered widespread travel chaos.
Videos on social media showed cars struggling to pass through streets left submerged in water with little notice.
Staff at the £1 billion St James Quarter retail development – which only opened last month – were forced to bail water out of stores as shoppers ran for cover.
The brand new city centre feature is not fully enclosed and rainwater also flooded in through an area that is still under construction, according to a spokesperson. 
One Twitter user, Jamie Cunningham, pointed out ‘a couple of design flaws when it comes to rain’.
Water could be seen dripping down windows and onto balconies at the glitzy new shopping centre.

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A freak storm left parts of Edinburgh underwater and people fighting to stay dry on Sunday (Picture: @eoinplant/Twitter)

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Trains running between Helensburgh and Edinburgh had to be cancelled after the main track passing through the city centre was left underwater. 
The line was fully reopened shortly after 10pm but a temporary speed restriction was imposed on trains passing between the city’s two main stations, Waverley and Haymarket.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service workers could be seen helping vehicles stuck in the flooding beneath a bridge in Chesser.

Emergency services were called out when cars became stuck beneath a bridge in Chesser (Picture: @nicolaawilson/Twitter)

Trains had to be cancelled when a city centre section of the railway was left inundated (Picture: @NetworkRailSCOT/Twitter)A couple were also pictured by a Twitter user stuck at a bus stop on Roseburn Terrace where what he described as a ‘river’ had formed.
The Stockbridge and Comely Bank areas, which are situated downhill from the city centre, looked to have been particularly badly affected according to reports. 
Videos from the area showed cars struggling to pass through streets where water was at least knee height.
The thunderstorm struck shortly before 5pm and sent revellers enjoying outdoor hospitality dashing for cover across the city.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
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