Storm Bert causes widespread disruption on road and rail

Train services between London and the West were suspended at the weekend, as well as many roads shut, due to flooding and fallen trees caused by Storm Bert.

Great Western Railway (GWR) advised passengers not to travel, external and said tickets would be valid on Monday or Tuesday, but told travellers to check before setting off as the flooding “may continue”, reports the BBC.

Elsewhere the Environment Agency issued 14 flood warnings for parts of Somerset, four for Wiltshire and 11 for Gloucestershire., external

National Highways said flooding meant the northbound M32 in Bristol was shut between junction 1 and the M4.

The A40 westbound was closed between the M5 and A417 near Gloucester due to flooding, with Gloucester Police on the scene and diversions in place.

The A3102 between Lyneham and Tockenham in Wiltshire was among the roads closed on Sunday afternoon due to flooding.

Wiltshire Police said on Sunday evening that it was dealing with a number of “minor” accidents and flooding on the A419, particularly in the Blunsdon and Stratton St Margaret area of Swindon.

It comes as properties are without power, external and motorists face travel disruption across the region, said the BBC report.

In Somerset, the A3088 near Yeovil was closed from the junction for Montacute to the Garadore roundabout, after a five-vehicle collision – which included an overturned tanker.

In Lydney in Gloucestershire, Newerne Street was closed on Sunday afternoon due to flooding.

According to travelling monitoring site Inrix, in Gloucestershire, the A4136 is closed in both directions due to flooding between the Yew Tree and Old Hill.

The M48 Severn Bridge was also closed in both directions due to strong winds, but has since reopened.

In Longhope in the Forest of Dean, the A48 was closed in both directions on Sunday due to flooding.

A number of trees have been blown down in Pittville Park in Cheltenham.

First Bus West of England said services across Bristol and the West “may experience delays, last-minute cancellations or diversions”.

In Wiltshire, according to Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN), about 1,900 people are without power., external

PIC-YAY IMAGES

“Refunds are still being processed and this will continue as a priority over the next couple of days.”

There is also reported flooding in the Malmesbury, Crudwell, Norton and Sherston areas.

In Swindon, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service said Maxwell Street and Lorne Street had been closed until further notice due to an unsafe building.

“Please avoid the area,” it added.

A brick wall  which has fallen over. Brick debris is on the windscreen of a silver Ford car.
Image caption,A wall has fallen on a car in Bradley Stoke, Bristol

Meanwhile, Somerset Council said their teams had been “busy overnight responding to reports” of more than 30 fallen trees and areas of flooding.

“Please bear with us today as we’re dealing with a high call volumes and will be prioritising main roads,” it said.

It also encouraged motorists not to drive through flood water and to take care if travelling.

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