Tuesday's live floodwatch (From Cotswold Journal)

10:06pm

That's all for today.

We'll be back tomorrow keeping you up to date with the flooding situation.

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This stunning picture of a swan flying over floodwaters on the river Severn was taken today by Worcester News photographer John Anyon

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The Highways Agency is advising road users, particularly those driving high-sided vehicles and motorcycles or towing caravans, to be prepared for strong winds tomorrow.

It has issued an amber alert for motorways and major A-roads in the West Midlands region.

Met Office forecasters based in the Agency’s National Traffic Operations Centre are predicting a strong westerly wind tomorrow with gusts of up to 65 mph.

As this will be a cross-wind on many major routes, it could cause problems for drivers of vulnerable vehicles such as motorcycles and high-sided vehicles or those towing caravans.

The Agency’s amber alert is in place from 11am to 6pm tomorrow.

Steve Crosthwaite, head of the Agency’s National Traffic Operations Centre said: “We advise road users to plan their journeys, check road conditions and weather forecasts before travelling and to allow extra time to complete their journeys.

“We are advising motorcyclists, drivers of high sided vehicles and people towing caravans to avoid certain routes if possible, as there is a strong risk of being blown over in these locations.

“Our traffic officers are constantly monitoring the network and are ready to respond to any incidents.”

Up-to-date information on road conditions on England's motorways and trunk roads is available on the Highways Agency website here or by calling the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000.

Traffic information is available on Twitter by following one of eight regional channels – http://bit.ly/HAtwir.

The Highways Agency is advising drivers of vulnerable vehicles to avoid the following locations if possible:

West Midlands

• M50 J1-J2 Queenhill, Tewkesbury to Ledbury
• M5 J1-J2 West Bromwich to Dudley
• M5 J4-J5 Kidderminster to Redditch
• M5 J7-J8 Worcester to J8 - M50; Strensham Services
• M6 J6-J8 Spaghetti Junction to Friar Park (M5)
• M6 J15-J16 Keele Services; immediately south of J16 - Audley

5:03pm

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4:53pm

A stunning view of the Severn in flood. From Diglis looking towards the city centre. By John Anyon, Worcester News

4:46pm

The following bus services are currently disrupted (updated 2.15pm):

2 / 2A / 2C (Kidderminster – Bewdley): Due to the closure of Bewdley Bridge between 1500 hrs – 1700 hrs approx. for the errection of the flood barriers, these services will omit Bewdley Town Centre and divert via the Bewdley Bypass. Bark Hill, Hales Park and Catchems End will still be served, but there will be no link to Bewdley Town Centre. (NEW UPDATE)

15 (Kidderminster – Bewdley – Stourport): This service is currently omitting Stourport Road in Bewdley due to the flood barriers being up at Beale's Corner. The service is therefore diverting via the A456 Bypass and Kidderminster Road to the town centre, and vice versa. Due to the closure of Bewdley Bridge between 1500 hrs – 1700 hrs approx. for the errection of the flood barriers, this service will not be able to access Bewdley Town Centre. (NEW UPDATE)

41 / 42 / 43 (Malvern – Upton): These services are currently operating to their Standard Flood Timetable due to flooding at Hanley Road in Upton.

125 (Bridgenorth – Bewdley – Kidderminster – Stourbridge): Due to the closure of Bewdley Bridge between 1500 hrs – 1700 hrs approx. for the errection of the flood barriers, this service will omit Bewdley Town Centre and divert via the Bewdley Bypass. (NEW UPDATE)

291 (Tenbury – Bewdley – Kidderminster): Due to the closure of Bewdley Bridge between 1500 hrs – 1700 hrs approx. for the errection of the flood barriers, this service will omit Bewdley Town Centre and divert via the Bewdley Bypass. (NEW UPDATE)

292 (Kidderminster – Bewdley – Ludlow): Due to the closure of Bewdley Bridge between 1500 hrs – 1700 hrs approx. for the errection of the flood barriers, this service will omit Bewdley Town Centre and divert via the Bewdley Bypass. (NEW UPDATE)

362 (Worcester – Kempsey – Upton): These services are currently operating to their Standard Flood Timetable due to flooding at Hanley Road in Upton.

363 (Worcester – Callow End – Upton): These services are currently operating to their Standard Flood Timetable due to flooding at Hanley Road in Upton.

382 (Worcester – Norton – Defford – Eckington – Pershore): This service is currently operating to its Standard Flood Timetable due to flooding at Eckington Bridge.

550 / 551 / 557 (Worcester – Pershore – Evesham): These services are currently operating to its Standard Flood Timetable due to flooding at Jubilee Bridge in Fladbury.

Information from Worcestershire County Council

4:44pm

Road Closures Update

Road will be closed at Beale's Corner/Riverside, Bewdley from 3pm  today for approx 3 hours to enable barriers to be erected.  Businesses will be open as usual.  Road should be open by 6pm. Please expect traffic delays.

• B4088 Eckington Bridge
• B4211 Hanley Road, Upton - Flooding
• C2022 Jubilee Bridge, Fladbury
• C2099 New Street, Upton - Flooding
• U10227 Severnside North, Bewdley (flood barriers erected 28/1/13 08.00)

Information from Worcestershire County Council

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10:54am

Advice from the Safer Roads Partnership in Warwickshire and West Mercia:

With the recent thaw and further rain forecast, motorists across the region are being urged to take care and exercise caution on areas of road that may be affected by flooding. 

Localised flooding is present in some places and a number of flood warnings are still in place by the Environment Agency, which could affect normal driving routes across the region.

Ongoing travel disruption across some routes is expected over the week.

The Partnership are advising motorists that if driving through larger puddles or smaller areas of standing water drive slowly and steadily, allow oncoming traffic to pass and always test your brakes after leaving the water. 

If water has flooded across a section of road it may be difficult to tell exactly how deep it is. 

If you do come across a road that is flooded DO NOT attempt to drive through the flood water. 

Attempting this not only has the potential to put yourself in danger and other people; it could also damage your vehicle; as little as an egg cup of water entering your engine is enough to wreck it. 

In weather conditions such as this visibility can also be seriously reduced so headlights MUST be used, together with allowing a bigger gap between you and the car in front to allow for the increased stopping distance. 

If you are unlucky enough to breakdown, advice from the AA is to try and get the car to a safe and visible place, call for roadside assistance and wait for help to arrive.

Vicki Bristow, from the Safer Roads Partnership, said: “We are urging all motorists to exercise caution in these conditions, use common sense and follow our simple advice. 

"Localised flooding exists in places and the current forecast is predicting more of the same. 

"Our advice is to stay alert to local weather and to listen to news reports for local road closures.”

10:42am

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Environment Agency update:

• At 5:30 am; the level at the Bewdley Gauge was 3.61 metres and rising.
• A peak level of between 3.8 and 4.3 metres is expected to occur this afternoon.
• The level at the Worcester Gauge was 4.44 metres and steady.
• A peak level of between 4.6 and 5.1 metres is expected to occur on Wednesday morning.
• The level at the Diglis Gauge was 4.03 metres and steady.
• A peak level of between 4.1 and 4.5 metres is expected to occur on Wednesday morning.
• The level at the Kempsey Gauge was 6.15 metres and steady.
• A peak level of between 6.3 and 6.6 metres is expected to occur on Wednesday morning.
• The level at the Saxons Loade Gauge was 4.77 metres and rising.
• A peak level of between 4.8 and 5.1 metres is expected to occur on Wednesday afternoon.
• A barrier deployment notification for the flood barrier is in force at Severnside in Bewdley.
• Gate closure notifications are in force for all flood gates at Upton upon Severn.

10:25am

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The Met Office is forecasting conditions in the West Midlands to turn wet and windy as the week progresses.

Today: Rain will quickly spread northeast across the area through the morning, perhaps turning heavy in places at first. Outbreaks of rain or drizzle then continuing through the day. Southwesterly winds will strengthen into the afternoon. Maximum Temperature 13 °C.

Tonight: Outbreaks of rain continue into the night, with rain perhaps heavy at times, particularly in the south. Turning drier at the end of the night. Strong winds easing. Minimum Temperature 5 °C.

Wednesday: Bright spells with scattered, blustery showers. Showers heavy at times, with a risk of hail and thunder, particularly in the north. Winds strengthening through the morning. Maximum Temperature 10 °C.

Outlook for Thursday to Saturday: Thursday, bright with blustery showers. Friday, risk of rain, heavy at times, particularly in the south. Cold and windy Saturday with perhaps isolated wintry showers.

9:23am

9:17am

The B4211 Hanley Road and New Street in Upton-upon-Severn are both closed due to flooding.

9:15am

As of yesterday, the following roads were closed:

• B4088 Eckington Bridge
• C2170 Icknield Street/U2340 Primrose Hill, nr Kings Heath (closed by Police)
• C2022 Jubilee Bridge, Fladbury
• U10227 Severnside North, Bewdley (flood barriers erected 28/1/13 08.00)

9:14am

Bus service update from Worcestershire County Council:

The following bus services are currently disrupted :

15 (Kidderminster – Bewdley – Stourport): This service is currently omitting Stourport Road in Bewdley due to the flood barriers being up at Beale's Corner. The service is therefore diverting via the A456 Bypass and Kidderminster Road to the town centre, and vice versa.

41 / 42 / 43 (Malvern – Upton): These services are currently operating to their Standard Flood Timetable due to flooding at Hanley Road in Upton. (NEW UPDATE)

362 (Worcester – Kempsey – Upton): These services are currently operating to their Standard Flood Timetable due to flooding at Hanley Road in Upton. (NEW UPDATE)

363 (Worcester – Callow End – Upton): These services are currently operating to their Standard Flood Timetable due to flooding at Hanley Road in Upton. (NEW UPDATE)

382 (Worcester – Norton – Defford – Eckington – Pershore): This service is currently operating to its Standard Flood Timetable due to flooding at Eckington Bridge.

550 / 551 / 557 (Worcester – Pershore – Evesham): These services are currently operating to its Standard Flood Timetable due to flooding at Jubilee Bridge in Fladbury.

9:08am

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Parts of the West Midlands remain on a yellow warning for heavy rain today, according to the Met Office:

Further rain will spread northeastwards across Wales and South West England early on Tuesday, becoming heavy and persistent in places before clearing again overnight.

Given saturated ground, the public should be aware that further localised flooding and disruption to travel is likely.

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