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First Great Western and Arriva Trains Wales warn rail passengers not to travel First Great Western warn rail passengers not to travel
(35 minutes later)
Train passengers have been urged not to travel in parts of south-west England due to problems caused by heavy rain.Train passengers have been urged not to travel in parts of south-west England due to problems caused by heavy rain.
First Great Western has asked people not to travel further west than Taunton. Network Rail is also warning poor road conditions are causing problems for replacement bus services. Further heavy rain is likely to cause problems on the roads in many areas.
There are four severe flood warnings, meaning a danger to life, in the UK - two in Cornwall and two in Devon.There are four severe flood warnings, meaning a danger to life, in the UK - two in Cornwall and two in Devon.
Ministers said "everything possible" was being done ahead of Christmas. href="http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/31618.aspx" >The Environment Agency has issued more than 100 flood warnings and more than 320 flood alerts for England and Wales, while in Scotland there are href="http://floodline.sepa.org.uk/floodupdates/" >15 flood alerts and 17 flood warnings.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: "Exceptional weather conditions are having a serious impact on the transport network at what is already a difficult time of year. An EA spokesman said there was a heightened flood risk across Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Bristol, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, West and East Sussex, south Wales, Ceredigion, Gwynedd and North Yorkshire.
"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. Paul Mustow, head of flood incident management, said: "With four severe flood warnings in force and further rain forecast, it is vital that communities remain flood aware.
"If you're leaving your property empty over Christmas, check the risk of flooding before you leave, move valuable items to safety and ask neighbours to keep an eye on your home."
In other developments:In other developments:
  • Wales is badly affected and there are no services between Cardiff and Newport but the situation is improving and Arriva is no longer advising people not to travel, but to check their website
  • In the West Country, rail services are suspended between Exeter St Davids and Taunton due to flooding and href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-20823342" >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
  • 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
  • Scotland is not reporting any weather-related problems on its railways
  • Several Football League matches have been postponed because of the wet weather
An Environment Agency has severe flood warnings in force in Helston, for the River Fowey from Trekeivesteps to Lostwithiel, all in Cornwall, and there are two severe warnings are also in place in locations in Braunton in Devon. The Environment Agency has severe flood warnings in force in Helston, for the River Fowey from Trekeivesteps to Lostwithiel, all in Cornwall, and there are two severe warnings are also in place in locations in Braunton in Devon.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said a river had burst its banks in Braunton and coastguard rescue teams were distributing sandbags to protect properties in the town and evacuating residents from houseboats at Velator Quay.
In Helston 190 residents were advised to leave their homes and a rest centre was opened for those affected.In Helston 190 residents were advised to leave their homes and a rest centre was opened for those affected.
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.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.
Train operators have advised passengers to check the National Rail Enquiries website before travelling.Train operators have advised passengers to check the National Rail Enquiries website before travelling.
People rescuedPeople rescued
David Owens of Cornwall Council said the level of the River Cober is "still continuing to rise, still continuing to be of concern".David Owens of Cornwall Council said the level of the River Cober 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.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.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.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.Cornwall Council said about 117 properties had been affected by flooding since the early hours of Saturday, including 40 in Millbrook.
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."
Elsewhere on the roads, the A38 eastbound near Plymouth, in Devon, is closed due to flooding and the M60 in Greater Manchester has a slip road closed because of flooding at junction 11.Elsewhere on the roads, the A38 eastbound near Plymouth, in Devon, is closed due to flooding and the M60 in Greater Manchester has a slip road closed because of flooding at junction 11.
On the A39, flooding has closed the road in Barnstaple, in north Devon, in Bude, in Cornwall, and there is flooding at Perranarworthal.On the A39, flooding has closed the road in Barnstaple, in north Devon, in Bude, in Cornwall, and there is flooding at Perranarworthal.
Transport Secretary 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.
Are you travelling to get away for Christmas? Are you affected by the flooding in Cornwall? Please fill in the form below if you are willing to be interviewed on the BBC.Are you travelling to get away for Christmas? Are you affected by the flooding in Cornwall? Please fill in the form below if you are willing to be interviewed on the BBC.
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