'First Great Western warns rail passengers not to travel' diff viewer (17/18)

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Version 17	Version 18
First Great Western warn rail passengers not to travel	First Great Western warn rail passengers not to travel
2012-12-22 18:20:26 UTC	2012-12-22 18:55:11 UTC (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.
Further heavy rain is likely to cause problems on the roads in many areas.	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.
~~The Environment Agency has issued ~~140~~ flood warnings and ~~345~~ flood alerts for England and Wales, while in Scotland there are >15~~ flood alerts and 17 flood warnings.	The Environment Agency has issued 160 flood warnings and 353 flood alerts for England and Wales, while in Scotland there are >16 flood alerts and 17 flood warnings.
The Environment Agency 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.	The Environment Agency 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.
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.	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."	"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:
In the West Country, rail services are suspended between Exeter St Davids and Taunton due to flooding and flood defences have breached in Devon and Cornwall 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 woman was rescued from her car by passers-by after it was swept into a river in Llancarfan in the Vale of Glamorgan BBC reporter Emma Thomasson in Cornwall tweeted: "Firefighters in Lostwithiel worried about water levels in a dam above the town. More heavy rain forecast overnight" Scotland is not reporting any weather-related problems on its railways Several Football League matches were postponed because of the wet weather	In the West Country, rail services are suspended between Exeter St Davids and Taunton due to flooding and flood defences have breached in Devon and Cornwall 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 woman was rescued from her car by passers-by after it was swept into a river in Llancarfan in the Vale of Glamorgan BBC reporter Emma Thomasson in Cornwall tweeted: "Firefighters in Lostwithiel worried about water levels in a dam above the town. More heavy rain forecast overnight" Scotland is not reporting any weather-related problems on its railways Several Football League matches were postponed because of the wet weather
The Environment Agency has severe flood warnings in force in Helston, for the River Fowey from Trekeivesteps to Lostwithiel, all in Cornwall.	The Environment Agency has severe flood warnings in force in Helston, for the River Fowey from Trekeivesteps to Lostwithiel, all in Cornwall.
In Braunton, Devon, homes and shops are under water after the River Caen burst its banks. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said its teams were distributing sandbags to protect properties and evacuate residents from houseboats at Velator Quay.	In Braunton, Devon, homes and shops are under water after the River Caen burst its banks. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said its teams were distributing sandbags to protect properties and evacuate residents from houseboats at Velator Quay.
In nearby Exeter resident Dan Regan sent in a photograph of flood barriers which have been put up near his house.	In nearby Exeter resident Dan Regan sent in a photograph of flood barriers which have been put up near his house.
"I've never seen them deployed here before and my neighbours, who have been here for 30 years, have never seen it either. I've never seen anything like the flooding we've had over the last month or so," he said.	"I've never seen them deployed here before and my neighbours, who have been here for 30 years, have never seen it either. I've never seen anything like the flooding we've had over the last month or so," he said.
Plastic dam	Plastic dam
A special "plastic dam" has been placed across the railway line at Exeter to stop further damage. Steve Hawkins, from Network Rail, explained: "The last time it flooded we lost the railway for two or three days but we lost the signalling equipment, so we had restricted working, for two or three weeks.	A special "plastic dam" has been placed across the railway line at Exeter to stop further damage. Steve Hawkins, from Network Rail, explained: "The last time it flooded we lost the railway for two or three days but we lost the signalling equipment, so we had restricted working, for two or three weeks.
"The idea of this is that we intend to try to protect the signalling equipment further down the track to make sure we can get the railway back up and working normally for our passengers sooner."	"The idea of this is that we intend to try to protect the signalling equipment further down the track to make sure we can get the railway back up and working normally for our passengers sooner."
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.
The Met Office has issued amber weather warnings for heavy rain in south west England, Yorkshire and Humberside, 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 Humberside, 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.
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.
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.
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.	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.	"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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