Travel disruption ahead of yellow weather warning

BBC A car drives through flood water on a main road in Little WitcombeBBC
Flooding has caused road disruption in Gloucestershire

Travel disruption is expected overnight across parts of the West of England as a yellow weather warning is in place across the region.

The Met Office has issued a warning for snow and ice for Wales, north-west England and parts of south-west and central southern England which is valid from 17:00 GMT on Monday until 10:00 GMT on Tuesday morning.

Earlier, The M5 southbound between junction 11a for the Brockworth bypass and 12 for Quedgeley was closed due to flooding caused by rainfall but has since reopened.

The A40 Golden Valley bypass westbound between the motorway junction and the Elmbridge Court Roundabout has also reopened.

Disruption on train services between Bristol Parkway, Swindon and Gloucester continues due to the flooding, with Great Western Railway (GWR) advising people to check before they travel.

GWR said train services running through these stations may be cancelled or delayed.

Network Rail has said: "We have teams on site at Chipping Sodbury currently to assess the flood water and any associated impact to the infrastructure.

"Because of this, trains through the area may be cancelled."

Multiple flood alerts and warnings are in place across Gloucestershire, with the Environment Agency advising local residents that flooding is possible in many parts of the county.

Motorists have been urged to drive with care and to avoid flood water

Gloucestershire Police said that houses on Lobleys Drive in Brockworth are at risk of being flooded "due to people driving too quickly through flood water".

"If you do need to travel on the county's roads, please heed any 'road closed' signs and do not attempt to drive through flood water as it may be deeper than it appears and you may get stranded," it said.

"If you must drive through low-level flood water, please drive very slowly (around 3-4 mph) and be courteous to avoid worsening their situation."

A view of the A417 in Gloucester with road sign in the foreground and a car submerged in floodwater on a road in the background
Some cars have been abandoned

The force has also reported flooding on the following major roads:

  • A48 between Lydney and Gloucester
  • A38 at Junction 13 of the M5 at Stonehouse
  • A48 Chaxhill in Westbury-on-Severn
  • A46 at Shurdington
  • A429 at Fosse Cross
  • A436 at Severn Springs
A fast flowing ford in Bristol is flooded with water. The photo is taken in the dark and water can been seen across the road. There are houses and three cars in the background.
Henbury Ford in Bristol has also been affected by the heavy rainfall

Hucclecote Parish Councillor Chas Townley said towns in his area, including Lobley's Drive, have "yet again" flooded due to the "poor maintenance of water courses".

"Unfortunately this morning, the grid here wasn't cleared," he said.

"If this was properly maintained this wouldn't happen. It shouldn't happen."

Stuart Portlock said his business in a warehouse along Cirencester Road was damaged by flood water.

"At six o'clock this morning the whole yard was underwater. We've got a whole clean-up operation here now," he said.

A spokesperson for Gloucestershire County Council said residents should report any issues or drains that remain blocked online via Fix My Street.

"We clear more than 100,000 drains across the county every year to ensure water is able to drain from the road," said a council spokesperson.

"However, with the extreme weather that we've seen recently, the drainage network can be temporarily overwhelmed.

"The drains usually clear quite quickly once the worst of the weather has passed. We encourage residents to report any urgent issues or drains that remain blocked, online via Fix My Street."

Stuart Portlock, with grey hair and dark clothes,  standing facing the camera with a flooded road in the background
Mr Portlock he found his business flooded in the early hours

In Bristol, some bus services have also been affected and diverted away from Henbury Ford which has flooded.

Meanwhile, the A358 in Somerset is closed in both directions due to flooding from Donyatt Hill to Stibbear Lane.

Flood alerts and warnings are also in place for areas in Bristol, North East Somerset and North Somerset.

Flooding is forecast to affect locations near the Bristol Frome, Bristol Floating Harbour, "with low lying land and roads expected to be most affected, particularly around St John's Way in Chipping Sodbury and Damson Bridge", the Environment Agency has said.

"Further rainfall is forecast overnight but no further flooding is expected."

RAC spokesperson Rod Dennis said: "Today will undoubtedly be the busiest of the winter so far and our patrols are working exceptionally hard rescuing thousands of our members in difficult conditions.

"Waiting times will be longer as a result."

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