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Flood fears heightened by new downpours Flood fears heightened by new downpours
(about 1 hour later)
Rain has returned to south-west England, bringing a renewed flood risk to areas already saturated by heavy downpours.Rain has returned to south-west England, bringing a renewed flood risk to areas already saturated by heavy downpours.
Forecasters predict the rain will sweep across England and Wales to Scotland, where it could be heavy and prolonged.Forecasters predict the rain will sweep across England and Wales to Scotland, where it could be heavy and prolonged.
href="http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/today.html" >No trains are running between Bristol Parkway and Swindon due to flooding. There is major disruption to trains in south-west England.
First Great Western services between London Paddington and Swansea will be diverted, extending journey times by up to 45 minutes. Operator First Great Western is advising customers href="http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/disruption" >not to attempt to travel west of Taunton in either direction.
Elsewhere, trains will not run between Exeter St Davids and Taunton until at least 28 December after earlier flooding, and flooding at Long Eaton is causing disruption to services between Derby and Nottingham. It says trains are unable to operate between Tiverton Parkway Station and Exeter St Davids, and between Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot.
Services from London Paddington towards Exeter and the West of England are terminating at Tiverton, with limited road transport continuing to Newton Abbot via Exeter St Davids.
Services from Penzance and Plymouth, towards Bristol Temple Meads and London Paddington, are terminating at Newton Abbot, again with limited road transport on to Tiverton via Exeter.
It says the road replacement service is limited "as this is being hampered by flooded roads and only a reduced number of vehicles being available".
The closed section of line is not expected to reopen until Friday.
A severe flood warning - posing a "danger to life" - remains in place for the River Cober at Helston in Cornwall.A severe flood warning - posing a "danger to life" - remains in place for the River Cober at Helston in Cornwall.
The Environment Agency has issued about 140 flood warnings and more than 260 flood alerts for all regions in England and in Wales, with most in place across the Midlands and south-west England.The Environment Agency has issued about 140 flood warnings and more than 260 flood alerts for all regions in England and in Wales, with most in place across the Midlands and south-west England.
'Not welcome news''Not welcome news'
In Scotland, 23 flood warnings are in place affecting Aberdeenshire, Caithness and Sutherland, Dundee and Angus, Tayside and the Borders.In Scotland, 23 flood warnings are in place affecting Aberdeenshire, Caithness and Sutherland, Dundee and Angus, Tayside and the Borders.
BBC forecaster Laura Gilchrist said the fresh band of rain was not "welcome news" for flood-hit areas of the UK.BBC forecaster Laura Gilchrist said the fresh band of rain was not "welcome news" for flood-hit areas of the UK.
"The ground in many places is already saturated, and any rain will not help situations of flooding," she said."The ground in many places is already saturated, and any rain will not help situations of flooding," she said.
On Sunday, houses were flooded and evacuated in Stoke Canon, near Exeter, and Stonehaven, near Aberdeen. On Sunday, up to 100 homes were evacuated in Stonehaven, near Aberdeen, after the River Carron burst its banks and affected a number of streets in the centre of the town. Residents said water levels were waist-high.
Up to 100 homes were evacuated in Stonehaven after the River Carron burst its banks and affected a number of streets in the centre of the town. Residents said water levels were waist-high. In Stoke Canon, near Exeter, 30 properties have flooded, with at least 20 residents being moved to safety, after the River Exe burst its banks.
In Stoke Canon, 30 properties have flooded, with at least 20 residents being moved to safety, after the River Exe burst its banks.
UK flooding minister Richard Benyon said on Sunday: "It's terrible to have your home or business flooded at any time of year, but for the families affected it's especially distressing for it to happen during the Christmas season.UK flooding minister Richard Benyon said on Sunday: "It's terrible to have your home or business flooded at any time of year, but for the families affected it's especially distressing for it to happen during the Christmas season.
"It's crucial people continue to be vigilant by keeping a close eye on the Environment Agency's flood warnings and allowing the emergency services to do their work.""It's crucial people continue to be vigilant by keeping a close eye on the Environment Agency's flood warnings and allowing the emergency services to do their work."
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Are you in south-west England or parts of Wales and Scotland affected by flooding? If you are willing to be interviewed on BBC TV and radio about your experiences please fill in the form below.Are you in south-west England or parts of Wales and Scotland affected by flooding? If you are willing to be interviewed on BBC TV and radio about your experiences please fill in the form below.
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