Drivers and campers trapped in flood chaos as rainy weather hits

The highways authority hit out at nosey people after the A421 flooding and closure for a fifth day has dominated headlines.

It asked members of the public to stay away from the area so that work can continue to reopen the carriageway.

No reopening date has been confirmed, but it is set to remain shut at least today.

One of the areas where some roads have been flooded is Hitchin in Hertfordshire.

Around 20 residents were evacuated after homes were flooded on Green Lane, the fire service said.

It comes after the Met Office issued weather warnings as further heavy rain is set to soak roads and railways and bring possible flash floods.

Some lines towards Surbiton, Kingston, have been blocked due to an investigation on the tracks.

This affects South Western Railway (SWR) services which could be delayed until about 2pm.

One SUV driver was rescued after becoming trapped in flash floods in Hall Green, Birmingham.

Footage shows the car dangerously close to a nearby bridge as fast-flowing water reached above the bonnet.

The emergency services rescued one driver yesterday who was not injured.

Southern passengers in Surrey have been warned of disruption after flooding blocked the railway between Caterham and Purley.

All lines are blocked after heavy flooding on the railway at Whyteleafe.

National Rail said disruption is expected until midday.

In case you missed it, part of the M5 near Bristol turned into a mini river after the downpours caused flash flooding in the early hours of the morning.

Three drivers were rescued from stranded vehicles, the fire service said.

The motorway was closed both ways, wreaking havoc on the rush hour commute.

Now the carriageway has reopened southbound between J14 Falfield and J15 to the M4.

But it’s not all clear yet for those heading north as that direction remains shut between J16 Almondsbury and J14 so that trapped cars and debris can be recovered and cleared.

Footage shows several vehicles trapped in the floodwater.

The railway line used by Chiltern Railway trains has been blocked again after heavy rain and further flooding between Banbury and Bicester North.

Trains could be cancelled, delayed by up to half an hour or the schedule revised, with disruption expected to last at least until 3pm today.

It comes after railways on the Chiltern Mail Line in the area were submerged in floodwater on Tuesday.

Elsewhere, buses replace Chiltern Railway trains between London Marylebone and Aylesbury until 3.35pm today due to emergency cable repairs.

The railway line has reopened after a passenger was taken ill on a train at Farringdon.

However, Thameslink trains between London St Pancras International and Blackfriars could still run 10 minutes behind schedule.

Trains are moving again, but disruption could last until 10am as service recovers fully, National Rail said.

Some roads are waterlogged in Hertfordshire too.

Here are the affected locations near Hitchin.

• A505 – It has been closed in both ways due to flooding on A505 Cambridge Road from B656 Walsworth Road to St Michaels Road
• Woolgrove Road – The road is closed in both directions, causing flooding on Woolgrove Road from Orchard Road to Highover Way

There is never a good time for flooding. It can be particularly dangerous on roads and motorways and hit suddenly after heavy rain.

Flooding is expected in 66 areas across England, while flooding is possible in further 120 locations. The Met Office has also issued a yellow weather warning for rain.

If caught in downpours, drivers should slow down and leave more space between vehicles.

What to do if the road is flooded?

• Driving through it can be very dangerous and damaging, so if in doubt, do not enter it
• If you decide to go through it, drive slowly and be mindful of aquaplaning if the steering feels light
• Don’t stop in the floodwater because this could be more damaging and leave you stranded
• If you suffer a breakdown after wet conditions, don’t open the bonnet of the car while waiting for help to avoid getting the electrical system wet
• Use dipped headlights if visibility is severely reduced

Yet another Met Office weather warning brings more flooding misery in Bedfordshire, where several roads surrounding Bedford are waterlogged.

• A421 – The major carriageway has looked more like a small lake for the past five days. Tankers have been pumping water off the road so that submerged vehicles can be recovered. It will remain closed at least for today, National Highways said
• A6 – It is partially blocked due to flooding on the A6 The Great Ouse Way southbound from Mill Road to A600 Clapham Road
• A6 Paula Radcliffe Way – Further flooding on Paula Radcliffe Way northbound from A600 Clapham Road to the Oakley Turn Off
• A422 – The road is closed in both directions due to flooding, making it ‘impassable,’ traffic analyst Inrix says. It is waterlogged both ways from A509 (Chichleley Hill Roundabout) to the Newton Blossomville Turn Off
• Chicheley Road – Partially blocked in both ways from the A422 Newport Road to Gog Lane

The roads and railways are feeling the brunt of the rainy weather and flooding which has been going on for most of the week.

Has your journey been affected?

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A multi-vehicle crash is causing 45-minute delays on the M25 in Essex.

The smash happened anticlockwise between J29 Upminster and J28 Brentwood shortly before 7am.

An Inrix traffic alert shows two lanes out of four have been closed after a car and two vans crashed.

Drivers face around five miles of congestion and stationary or slow-moving traffic in the area.

While the cause of the crash is not known, motorists should expect wet conditions on motorways and roads today after the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for rain.

Spray and flooding can create difficult driving conditions and road closures, the forecaster said.

Flash flooding can also block roads.

This flooding is one of several issues affecting trains between Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton this morning – scroll down for more details.

Northbound traffic should follow solid triangle symbol:

• Exit the M5 at J16 onto the A38
• Follow to re-join the M5 at J14

Southbound traffic should follow the solid circle symbol:

• Exit the M5 at J14 and at the end of the slip road turn right onto the B4509 westbound
• At the junction with the A38 turn left onto the A38 southbound, towards Bristol
• Continue on the A38 for approximately 8 miles to Almondsbury Roundabout/M5 J16
• Take the third exit to rejoin the M5 southbound

There’s a signal fault between Shepherd’s Bush and Watford Junction, which means trains can’t stop at Wembley Central, Harrow & Wealdstone, or Watford Junction.

This is impacting Southern services between East Croydon and Clapham Junction to Watford Junction.

A National Rail spokesperson added: ‘Some trains towards Watford Junction will terminate at Shepherds Bush, and some trains from Watford Junction will start from Shepherds Bush.

‘As Southern are unable to serve Wembley Central, Harrow & Wealdstone or Watford Junction at present, you’ll need to use an alternative route for these stations.

‘Please leave at least 30 minutes of extra time to do this.’

There have been several incidents reported which are affecting services, including:

• Signalling cables being stolen at Albrighton
• Flooding at Wellington station
• A tree blocking the line between Shrewsbury and Craven Arms

The problems are causing delays on these Transport for Wales services:

• Between Holyhead/Crewe/Aberystwyth/Shrewsbury and Birmingham International
• Between Manchester Piccadilly/Holyhead and Cardiff Central
• Between Manchester Piccadilly and Milford Haven
• Between Shrewsbury and Llandrindod/Swansea

There are also issues on West Midlands Railway services between Shrewsbury and Birmingham New Street.

These delays are expected to last until midday.

It hasn’t been a great week for London Underground commuters trying to use the District line.

Once again the line is facing severe delays because of a points failure at High Street Kensington, which is impacting services between there and Edgware Road.

There are also minor delays between Earl’s Court and Wimbledon caused by a signal failure at East Putney.

The rest of the line – and the rest of the Tube network – currently has good service.