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First Great Western and Arriva Trains Wales warn rail passengers not to travel First Great Western and Arriva Trains Wales warn rail passengers not to travel
(35 minutes later)
Train passengers have been advised against travelling to parts of south-west England and parts of Wales due to rail problems cause by heavy rainfall.Train passengers have been advised against travelling to parts of south-west England and parts of Wales due to rail problems cause by heavy rainfall.
First Great Western and Arriva Trains Wales say replacements buses are also are having difficulties with the roads.First Great Western and Arriva Trains Wales say replacements 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.There are four severe flood warnings, meaning a danger to life, in the UK - two in Cornwall and two in Devon.
Heavy rain is forecast for Saturday and is expected to disrupt travel for people getting away for Christmas.Heavy rain is forecast for Saturday and is expected to disrupt travel for people getting away for Christmas.
All services through Cardiff Central are being delayed by up to 60 minutes due to a signalling problem.All services through Cardiff Central are being delayed by up to 60 minutes due to a signalling problem.
And heavy rain forecast for Saturday is likely to flood roads in many areas, adding to the difficulties faced by some travellers who are taking journeys ahead of Christmas.And heavy rain forecast for Saturday is likely to flood roads in many areas, adding to the difficulties faced by some travellers who are taking journeys ahead of Christmas.
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.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 300 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible, for England and Wales. 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, >12 flood alerts and 16 flood warnings have been issued by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa), with Tayside currently the worst affected area. 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.
People rescuedPeople rescued
A rest centre has been opened for residents in Helston forced to leave their homes by the rising waters of the River Cober, Cornwall Council has said - although only about five people used it. A rest centre has been opened for residents in Helston forced to leave their homes and there 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.
There are reports of more than 50 properties being flooded in Cornwall, five of which are in Helston.
The Environment Agency said widespread flooding of properties was "imminent" in the town and issued a severe flood warning - its highest level, meaning there is a danger to life - for St Johns Road, St Johns Close, Coronation Park and Loe Pool in the town.The Environment Agency said widespread flooding of properties was "imminent" in the town and issued a severe flood warning - its highest level, meaning there is a danger to life - 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".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.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.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.
Fire crews in Dorset used an inflatable boat to rescue two motorists stuck in standing water near Christchurch on Friday night.Fire crews in Dorset used an inflatable boat to rescue two motorists stuck in standing water near Christchurch on Friday night.
One man had been stuck in his car for five hours, and a woman and child were also rescued from a car on the West Stafford bypass near Dorchester.One man had been stuck in his car for five hours, and a woman and child were also rescued from a car on the West Stafford bypass near Dorchester.
Fire crews attended about 70 flood-related incidents across Cornwall overnight on Saturday, and surface water on the roads is causing dangerous driving conditions for motorists. On the rail network, the Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect rail services have been restored from London Paddington following a fault on Friday.
On the rail network, the Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect rail services were suspended overnight after signalling problems on the Great Western mainline near Hayes and Harlington.
However, following overnight repair work, a full service to and from London Paddington was restored early on Saturday 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.
In other rail developments: 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 because of flooding and it is having difficulty sourcing replacement buses because of flooding on the roads
  • In particular, all lines are blocked between Swansea and Newport and also between Rhoose Cardiff International Airport and Llantwit Major because of flooding
  • In the West Country, rail services are suspended between Exeter St Davids and Taunton due to flooding. Replacement buses are in operation but Network Rail are warning journey times could be increased by up to an hour and that poor road conditions mean replacement buses are not able to run on many routes
  • Flooding is causing disruption at Sway and trains between Bournemouth and Southampton Central may be delayed by up to 30 minutes 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 has 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
  • Network Rail is using a water-filled tube to act as a dam on a main line at risk of flooding in the first operation of its kind. The makeshift dam has been set up on the Paddington to Penzance line at Exeter, which is close to a river already bursting its banks in places
Elsewhere on the roads, the A38 eastbound near Plymouth 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 Bude and there is flooding at Perranarworthal. 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.
With motorists taking to the roads before Christmas, Miranda Schunke from breakdown service Green Flag said she was expecting roads in the Midlands and London to be the busiest over the weekend. On the A39, flooding has closed the road in Barnstaple, in north Devon, in Bude, in Cornwall, and there is flooding at Perranarworthal.
"The M4 and M5 corridor where they meet, that will be busy as people try and head down to Devon and Cornwall. Obviously there's flooding potential there as well so you need to be careful.
"As people try and get out of London, the M40, the M4 and M3 are also going to be very busy," she 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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