Flood barriers go back up in Shropshire as train passengers face delays

Trains between Shrewsbury and Machynlleth were suspended after flood water blocked the line. Buses were laid on to transport passengers.

Meanwhile, preparations were today being made to deal with any possible flash flooding in Shrewsbury.

River levels are expected to peak tomorrow and the Environment Agency today put the low level flood barriers up at Frankwell in the town for the second weekend running.

Environment Agency manager Dave Throup said: "We are expecting levels in Shrewsbury to peak tomorrow. Levels similar to last weekend. The town will be open for business."

He also revealed that the workers were putting up the barriers when they were supposed to be having their works Christmas lunch.

Severn Trent Water are also taking precautions. Meirion Turner, Severn Trent's operations lead for Shropshire and Powys said: "We expect water levels will reach a high level as we head into the weekend, so we're setting up pumps nearby ready to deal with any problems.

"We want to make sure that we do everything we can to try to protect residential properties, major infrastructure and businesses in the historic town of Shrewsbury from flooding."

Severn Trent yesterday set up two pumps in Old Potts Way and one in Coleham Head to protect the Abbey Foregate area of the town. "

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Mr Turner said: "This quick proactive action will protect approximately 180 homes, businesses and the historic Abbey from flooding. These pumps are in addition to two fixed pumps we already have in the Frankwell area of Shrewsbury.

"Unfortunately, in stormy weather, the drains and sewers often have significantly more water flowing through them.

"When we get a lot of rain in one go, it has a hard time sinking into the ground; so it just runs off the surface and goes directly into drains and sewers. "Operating these pumps allowed us to reduce the amount of water in the drainage system, therefore avoiding flooding to the local community."

The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert for the stretch of the river running through the county, from Crew Green on the Mid Wales border through to Bridgnorth in the south east.

The depth of the river at Crew Green was expected to peak this afternoon, then the Montford gauge and the Welsh Bridge in Shrewsbury tonight.

Downstream at Buildwas the peak level of 3.9 metres is expected to be reached tomorrow.

So far agency chiefs have not set up any flood barriers along the banks of the river, having taken them down in Shrewsbury earlier this week.