This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/dec/20/uk-weather-rail-roads-flooded-heavy-rain

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
UK weather: rail lines and roads flooded after heavy rain UK weather: rail lines and roads flooded after heavy rain
(32 minutes later)
Persistent downpours cause transport disruption with weekend washout forecastPersistent downpours cause transport disruption with weekend washout forecast
Heavy rain and flooding have caused severe disruption in parts of southern England, forcing one rail operator to advise against travelling by train.Heavy rain and flooding have caused severe disruption in parts of southern England, forcing one rail operator to advise against travelling by train.
Some areas of the UK have had more than 50mm of rain in a day and a half. The village of Cardinham in Cornwall had 52mm of rain in 36 hours, while an area further inland, outside Launceston, got 53.4mm. Libanus in the Breacon Beacons, south Wales, had 43mm.Some areas of the UK have had more than 50mm of rain in a day and a half. The village of Cardinham in Cornwall had 52mm of rain in 36 hours, while an area further inland, outside Launceston, got 53.4mm. Libanus in the Breacon Beacons, south Wales, had 43mm.
All northbound trains from Brighton have been cancelled due to flooding in the Balcombe area. Victoria Express trains and Thameslink services were halted and announcements at Brighton station were “strongly advising” commuters to cancel trips into London on Friday. All northbound trains from Brighton have been cancelled due to flooding in the Balcombe area. Victoria Express trains and Thameslink services were halted, and announcements at Brighton station were “strongly advising” commuters to cancel trips into London on Friday.
Passengers trying to reach Gatwick airport are having to take a circuitous route by taking the Southampton train as far as Barnham and waiting for a connecting train to the airport.Passengers trying to reach Gatwick airport are having to take a circuitous route by taking the Southampton train as far as Barnham and waiting for a connecting train to the airport.
Commuters were advised there was only a limited bus replacement service and the earliest they could expect to reach London was about 1pm.
Southern Rail said persistent rainfall had caused water levels to reach the height of the rail tracks in places. “Alternative routes to reach your destination are limited, so you should make your own way to your destination,” its website said. “Please be mindful that roads will also be suffering from the increased rainfall.”Southern Rail said persistent rainfall had caused water levels to reach the height of the rail tracks in places. “Alternative routes to reach your destination are limited, so you should make your own way to your destination,” its website said. “Please be mindful that roads will also be suffering from the increased rainfall.”
Network Rail maintenance teams have been dispatched to assess the situation and take appropriate action. “There is flooding in Balcombe tunnel between Three Bridges and Balcombe,” the company tweeted. “This means the up line to London is currently blocked.” Commuters were advised that on Friday morning there was only a limited bus replacement service and the earliest they could expect to reach London was about 1pm.
Network Rail maintenance teams have been dispatched to assess situations and take appropriate action. “There is flooding in Balcombe tunnel between Three Bridges and Balcombe,” the company tweeted. “This means the up line to London is currently blocked.”
The line was closed for nine days earlier this year for engineering work costing £67m. There were extensive drainage works in Balcombe tunnel, one of the south-east’s longest railway tunnels, and 600 metres of track was replaced.
Flooding has affected swaths of southern England and the Midlands, with 45 flood warnings and 192 alerts put in place by the Environment Agency.Flooding has affected swaths of southern England and the Midlands, with 45 flood warnings and 192 alerts put in place by the Environment Agency.
Yellow warnings for rain are likely to remain in place across many parts of the south until midday on Sunday. However, forecasters predicted conditions in Cornwall would improve.Yellow warnings for rain are likely to remain in place across many parts of the south until midday on Sunday. However, forecasters predicted conditions in Cornwall would improve.
“There will be some showers around but nowhere near as much rain as today,” a Met Office spokesman said. “More rain is coming from the south through the night and tomorrow. Most of the rain will be in eastern England and Scotland, gradually improving throughout the day. It does look, as we head into next week, that the weather will turn drier.”“There will be some showers around but nowhere near as much rain as today,” a Met Office spokesman said. “More rain is coming from the south through the night and tomorrow. Most of the rain will be in eastern England and Scotland, gradually improving throughout the day. It does look, as we head into next week, that the weather will turn drier.”
Elsewhere, sunny spells and scattered showers were expected on Friday.Elsewhere, sunny spells and scattered showers were expected on Friday.
Norfolk and Suffolk police said parts of both counties had been inundated on Friday morning. Norfolk police tweeted: “Various reports from our teams out this morning of standing water on the roads around the county. Please drive with caution on your morning journeys.”Norfolk and Suffolk police said parts of both counties had been inundated on Friday morning. Norfolk police tweeted: “Various reports from our teams out this morning of standing water on the roads around the county. Please drive with caution on your morning journeys.”
Suffolk police instructed motorists to reduce their speed when necessary. “We are getting reports of standing water on main carriageways throughout the county,” it tweeted.Suffolk police instructed motorists to reduce their speed when necessary. “We are getting reports of standing water on main carriageways throughout the county,” it tweeted.
The Environment Agency advised against driving through floodwater. “Heavy showers could bring disruption to communities in parts of southern and central England as rain falls on already wet ground,” it said.The Environment Agency advised against driving through floodwater. “Heavy showers could bring disruption to communities in parts of southern and central England as rain falls on already wet ground,” it said.