Flooding brings travel disruption across south east of England
Flooding is causing travel disruption across the south east of England after heavy rain overnight.
The M23 is closed between junctions 10 and 11 in both directions in West Sussex, Highways England said. On the railways, Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express passengers have been advised not to travel, with disruption to services on the Brighton mainline.
Southeastern says there are no trains between Strood and Maidstone West.
Motorist Ellis Hart was on his way to a work Christmas meal, but missed it when he got stuck in the M23 backlog for more than two hours.
The 26-year-old stone restorer said: "We were all going for a curry in London, paid for by the boss. It was our Christmas bonus.
"I was looking forward to that, but I've missed it now.
"I'm just glad I didn't bring my three kids with me. I was going to drop them off with my mum on the way."
Highways England says the stream of water onto the M23 has been stemmed and pumps are on the scene.
Southeastern posted on its website: "A tree blocking the railway between Strood and Maidstone West means all lines are blocked. Train services running between these stations will be suspended.
"Disruption is expected until the end of the day."
Services through Tonbridge have been disrupted due to a failure of the electricity supply.
A subsequent landslip at Robertsbridge means there are no trains running between Tunbridge Wells and Hastings. Replacement buses will run on the route, Southeastern tweeted. Issues with flooding at Frant have been resolved, the rail company said.
Almost 50mm (2in) of rain has fallen in some areas in the past 36 hours, and the Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for heavy rain, saying water on roads will cause delays in some areas on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Trains between Brighton and Haywards Heath are affected and there are no services between Haywards Heath and Three Bridges.
Rail services are still running from both London Bridge and London Victoria to Gatwick Airport, Southern said.
Gatwick Airport is "running as usual", but it has advised customers to allow extra time for their journeys due to the flooding on the M23 and the disruption to rail services.
"Firefighters in water-safety suits are working to release the man from his vehicle and people are asked to avoid the area due to the floodwater," a spokesman said.
"If you see a sign to say that the road is closed due to flooding, remember the sign is there for a reason and find an alternative route."
Yellow weather warnings are in place for large parts of the south of England until midday on Sunday.
In Leatherhead in Surrey horses have been left stranded in a flooded field after the River Mole burst its banks.
In Cornwall, the A30 was closed on Thursday due to flooding, with Devon and Cornwall Police declaring a major incident in Hayle.
Met Office meteorologist Mark Wilson said there could be up to 30mm of rain in the south on Saturday, with localised flooding.
The village of Cardinham in Cornwall saw 52mm of rain over 36 hours, while Bastreet Downs got 53mm.
Norfolk and Suffolk Police said roads in both counties had been affected by floodwater.
The Environment Agency has issued about 60 flood warning across England - where flooding is expected - as well as 200 flood alerts, which warn of possible flooding.
No comments