22 December 2012
Last updated at 14:12 GMT
Rail passengers warned not to travel
Rail passengers in south-west England and parts of Wales are
advised not to travel, as heavy rainfall causes disruption and flooding
in parts of the UK.
- Heavy rain brings more disruption
- Flood warnings after heavy rain
- Floods halt Christmas rail travel
-
Weather hits football programme
22 December 2012
Last updated at 13:37 GMTThe heavy rain that has already brought flooding across some parts of the UK continues. Matt Taylor looks at the areas at risk.Train passengers have been advised against travelling to parts of south-west England and parts of Wales due to rail problems caused by heavy rainfall.First Great Western and Arriva Trains Wales say replacement buses are also are having difficulties with the roads.
There are four severe flood warnings, meaning a danger to life, in the UK - two in Cornwall and two in Devon.
The transport secretary said "everything possible" was being done to help people before Christmas.
Patrick McLoughlin said: "Exceptional weather conditions are having a serious impact on the transport network at what is already a difficult time of year.
"We urge people travelling through the most affected areas to plan ahead and check the latest travel information. We will continue to ensure everything possible is being done to help people get to where they need to be for Christmas," he added.
All services through Cardiff Central are being delayed by up to 60 minutes as the result of a signalling problem.
An Environment Agency severe flood warning has been issued in Helston, where 190 residents have been advised to leave their homes, and another is in force for the River Fowey from Trekeivesteps to Lostwithiel - all in Cornwall. Two severe warnings are also in place in locations in Braunton in Devon.
In total, the agency has issued more than 100 flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected, and more than 320 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible, for England and Wales.
In Scotland, 15 flood alerts and 16 flood warnings have been issued by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa), with Tayside currently the worst affected area.
The Met Office has issued amber weather warnings for heavy rain in south west England, Yorkshire and Humbershire, Wales, central Scotland and the Grampians for Saturday and into Sunday morning.
People rescuedThere are reports of more than 50 properties being flooded in Cornwall by the rising waters of the River Cober, five of which are in Helston where a rest centre has been opened for residents forced to leave their homes.The Environment Agency said widespread flooding of properties was "imminent" in the town and issued a severe flood warning - its highest level - for St Johns Road, St Johns Close, Coronation Park and Loe Pool in the town.
David Owens of Cornwall Council said the level of the river is "still continuing to rise, still continuing to be of concern".
There have been two landslides in Looe caused by heavy rain and the village of Hannafore is now cut off.
Cornwall Fire and Rescue service crews have rescued people from two properties in Lostwithiel using inflatable boats.
Devon and Cornwall Police said seven homes were evacuated in Colebrook and 15 people were evacuated in Plympton overnight after the river Long Brook burst its banks, but there was no damage to property.
Cornwall Council said about 117 properties had been affected by flooding since the early hours of Saturday, including 40 in Millbrook.
Fire crews in Dorset used an inflatable boat to rescue three people stuck in cars in standing water near Christchurch on Friday night.
One man was stuck in his vehicle for five hours, and a woman and child were also rescued from a car on the West Stafford bypass near Dorchester.Helston in Cornwall has been badly hit by flooding following severe rainfall
On the rail network, the Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect rail services have been restored from London Paddington following a fault on Friday.
Train operators have advised passengers to check the National Rail Enquiries website before travelling.
Geoff Boyd, of the Environment Agency, said people were becoming more used to the regular weather warnings.
"The returning rain fronts that we've had over the last few weeks and months have made people much more aware about flood risk. They are more flood aware, they are thinking about their personal safety... and more about how and when they travel."
In other developments:
- Flooding and signalling problems are causing disruption in various parts of Wales, with Arriva Trains Wales experiencing disruption to the whole of its network
- In particular, all lines are blocked between Swansea and Newport and also between Rhoose Cardiff International Airport and Llantwit Major
- In the West Country, rail services are suspended between Exeter St Davids and Taunton due to flooding and First Great Western has advised passengers not to travel. Replacement buses are in operation but Network Rail is warning that poor road conditions mean replacement buses are not able to run on many routes
- In Cheshire, Virgin Trains are not running services between Crewe and Chester because of flooding
- Flooding has caused East Midland Trains to run replacement buses between Uttoxeter and Stoke-on-Trent
- Trains are suspended on the Arun Valley Line, in mid-Sussex, between Arundel and Horsham due to flooding
- A landslip at Glazebrook, near Manchester on Friday afternoon has disrupted rail services between Manchester, Liverpool and Warrington. A reduced service is expected to continue until further notice
- A lineside fire on Friday damaged electrical equipment and caused signalling problems at Preston Park near Brighton, with disruption expected to continue until Sunday. Rail services, including services to and from Gatwick airport, are able to run but at a reduced frequency
- Heavy rain has caused a landslip on the Dorset coast for the second day, running, on the northern part of Swanage Beach.
- Scotland is not reporting any weather-related problems on its railways
- Several Football League matches have been postponed because of the wet weather
On the A39, flooding has closed the road in Barnstaple, in north Devon, in Bude, in Cornwall, and there is flooding at Perranarworthal.COPY http://www.bbc.co.uk/news
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