Flooding brings trains to a halt

Floods are disrupting rail services in the West Midlands, with the Met Office warning of further rain across the region.

Trains through Warwickshire, Telford, Worcester and Wolverhampton are all affected.

West Midlands Trains said routes between Oakengates and Wellington, and Worcester and Dorridge were blocked, with buses running instead.

Several flood warnings have been issued for parts of Warwickshire, Worcestershire, South Shropshire, Staffordshire and Birmingham.

They include the River Dene, near Wellesbourne, River Avon at Strensham and at Wyre Piddle, Gog Brook at Warwick, Bourn Brook in Selly Oak, Illey Brook at Halesowen, The Bourn at Bournville, Marchington Brook at Marchington, River Blithe near Blithfield Reservoir and Brimfield Brook at Orleton.

Rail services were at a standstill on Transport for Wales and West Midlands Railway between Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton, according to traffic management system Inrix.

A yellow warning for rain is in force for parts of the West Midlands until 18:00 GMT, with further rain expected in the coming days.

In Worcestershire, the county council highways department warned flash flooding could happen “anywhere”.

The council posted on X to say Eckington Bridge remained closed, while in Pershore, Jubilee Bridge, Fladbury and Mill Bank were expected to shut due to rising water levels on the River Avon.

Worcestershire's Head of Highways Jon Fraser warned of “very difficult” driving conditions across the majority of the county.

“With the surrounding area so wet, it’s quite possible we’ll see flash flooding anywhere,” he said.

“Give yourself extra journey time because it’s likely you’re going to run into some problems.”

Himbleton CE First School in Droitwich and Eckington CE First School, Pershore both confirmed they would shut at lunchtime due to flooding on surrounding routes.

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