Drivers have been left stranded on the M5 in Gloucestershire after flooding resulted in multiple motorway closures following more torrential rain that has brought flash floods across England.
Firefighters from Avon Fire and Rescue Service said it was working with Highways England to rescue people from the carriageway closed in both directions between junctions 16 and 14 because of heavy rainfall.
It comes after an amber warning for large parts of England which has resulted in flash floods and more than 60 warnings of further flooding in areas already saturated after flooding earlier this week.
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UK floods: Roads and railways closed after heavy rain sweeps across England
Travellers are set for major disruption today with roads and railways deluged by flash floods after more torrential rain swept across the country overnight and in the early hours.
Many rural roads will be underwater this morning but motorways and A-roads have also been shut.
Here’s the current picture of roads and railways closed because of flooding
The M5 in Gloucestershire (pictured) was shut northbound between J16 and J14 and southbound between J14 and J15 this morning as emergency services tried to clear the deluge.
The A421 in Bedfordshire is closed in both directions between the A6 (Bedford) & M1 J13 (Brogborough) due to flooding.
Flooding at Wellington station has disrupted rail services between Birmingham and Shrewsbury and Birmingham and Holyhead
Heavy flood has blocked all Chiltern Railway routes between Banbury and Bicester North.
Weather warning issued as M5 flooding sees stranded drivers rescued from cars
Further torrential rain across Britain caused more travel chaos today as flooding left train lines underwater and drivers stranded on submerged motorways.
Trains going through Shropshire were blocked by flooding at Wellington station, which was left looking more like a Venice canal after heavy rain deluged the tracks.
Flooding also blocked services to and from Aberystwyth in West Wales, as well as on the Chiltern Main Line in Oxfordshire between Banbury and Bicester North.
Travellers warned floods could impact journeys
A yellow rain warning persists for large parts of England and Wales before the wet weather finally eases into the afternoon.
Areas affected by the now expired amber warning – including Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire and the West Midlands – were struck by flash floods as the Met Office warned the regions could see 30-40mm of rainfall within three hours.
Meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said northern and central parts of England and Wales had been hit the hardest.
He said travellers should take into account the heavy rainfall when setting out on journeys on Friday.
There will continue to be localised flooding. A lot of these areas have been hit by rain in the past few weeks which means the ground is already saturated.
The amber warning is in place until 6am and the wider yellow warning will be lifted at 9am. We’re expecting it to then ease up and become a bit drier.
But rivers often take time to respond so we’re expecting disruption to continue in central and southern parts throughout the morning. Those planning to travel on Friday should factor this into their journey times.
Pictures: Shropshire train station flooded
Wellington station in Shropshire has flooded after heavy overnight rain.
National Rail say West Midlands Railway services between Shrewsbury and Birmingham and Transport for Wales routes between Holyhead and Birmingham will be disrupted as a result.
63 flood warnings across England
As of 8am, the Environment Agency had 67 flood warnings in place across England, meaning flooding is expected, and 122 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible.
Recent flooding in areas including Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire have brought widespread travel disruption and damage to properties.
Flooding has been reported this morning in Birmingham and Leicester.
The rain is expected to clear during Friday leaving conditions much colder on Saturday.
Drivers stranded on M5 as floods cause motorway closures
Firefighters are working to rescue drivers stranded on the M5 this morning after flooding resulted in multiple closures on the motorway.
The road remains shut on the northbound carriageway between junctions 16 (Almondsbury) and 14 (Falfield)
The southbound stretch between junctions 14 and 15 is also closed.
National Highways say drivers face delays of up to 45 minutes currently with three miles of tailbacks.
Good morning
Hello and welcome to MailOnline’s live coverage as heavy downpours result in a fresh round of flash floods across England.
In Gloucestershire, the M5 motorway has been closed in both directions between junctions 16 and 14 leaving drivers stranded on the carriageway.
While roads in Birmingham and Leicester are also underwater with dozens of flooding warnings in place across the country.
Stick with our coverage as we bring you the latest picture across the worst affected areas.
Key Updates
Weather warning issued as M5 flooding sees stranded drivers rescued from cars
Travellers warned floods could impact journeys
63 flood warnings across England
Drivers stranded on M5 as floods cause motorway closures
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Drivers stranded on M5 after floods cause multiple closures on motorway while heavy downpours leave roads underwater across England – latest news
