Flood barriers up as threat rises

The threat of serious flooding stepped up in Shropshire today as the flood barriers were put up in Ironbridge. Flood warnings were today put in place on the River Severn at Shrewsbury and between Buildwas and Coalport.

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Engineers were at the Guildhall in Shrewsbury putting up the second level of the flood barriers and the first phase of barriers at the Wharfage in Ironbridge were also being put up.

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Frankwell car park remained closed and the Atcham to Crosshouses road was shut.

Chilton Farm Lane, Sydney Avenue and Gravel Hill Lane were also closed off.

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: "We have got two flood warnings on in Shropshire.

"We have recently put up the second level at Frankwell and we are erecting the first phase of the flood barriers at Ironbridge.

"The preparation was done last night and engineers were at the site at 8am this morning."

The river at Ironbridge is expected to peak later today but traders in the area have stressed: "The town is still open for business."

Traders leader Adrian Cousions, of the Homeward Bound gift shop, said: "Although The Wharfage is closed to vehicles, pedestrians can get through and car parks are open."

Shropshire Star weatherman John Warner said today Shropshire could face problems with heavy rain forecast for the rest of the week.

He said: "There is more rain tomorrow which could turn heavy later in the day and more rain for the weekend in the Severn catchment area which would be a problem for Shropshire next week."

Firefighters in Shropshire were on standby and bosses urged residents not to take chances over any fires.Divisional officer Mike Ablitt, of Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "If we are called out to fires we will not be there to go to other incidents so we would ask people to be extra vigilant and to avoid the use of candles and make sure their smoke alarms are working at this time."

The Environment Agency said despite drier weather yesterday, the ground remained saturated in some areas.

This morning some 68 flood warnings are in place, and defences have been installed in high-risk areas including many that were left underwater after deviating floods last summer.

Nikki Berry, a senior forecaster for MeteoGroup, said: "Although it was drier on Wednesday, for many the rain will return today.

"In some parts there will be very heavy downpours and thunder. This could happen anywhere in England and Wales."

Yesterday the Environment Agency issued a severe flood warning for the River Kym in Cambridgeshire, and said 180 properties were at risk of flooding in a village in East Yorkshire.

Gloucestershire residents were bracing themselves for further flooding today as the Environment Agency warned even a small amount of rain could overwhelm the saturated rivers.

Environment Agency spokesman David Throup said: "At the moment the situation is stable.

"However, flood warnings are still in place for the lower Avon and the Severn down from Worcester.

"We are on alert and running incident rooms 24/7. This is not a precise science and it is difficult to predict precisely where the rain is going to fall.

"A particular problem is what we call 'flashy catchments' - short stretches of river with steep banks, which flood very quickly."

Flood Warnings:

• River Severn at Shrewsbury

• River Severn from Buildwas to Coalport, including Ironbridge, Jackfield and Coalport

Flood Watches:

• River Wye in Herefordshire

• Severn Vrynwy Confluence

• River Teme and its tributaries downstream of Ludlow

• River Severn in Shropshire

• River Worfe, Wesley Brook and Albrighton Brook & their tributaries

• Rivers Tern, Perry, Roden, Strine and Meese & their tributaries

• River Severn in Worcestershire.

See also: Video - Flooding as river bursts banks. nextpage

Environment Agency workers installing flood barriers on the river front in Ironbridge.

The Wharfage in Ironbridge is closed to traffic.

Sections of the flood defences arrive by lorry in Ironbridge.

The swollen River Severn by the Guild Hall in Shrewsbury.

The water claims Frankwell car park.

Workmen erecting flood barriers in Shrewsbury.

Flood barriers in place alongside Frankwell Car Park in Shrewsbury.

The water rises higher up the Welsh Bridge in Shrewsbury.

High Ercall Mill is under danger from being flooded half way between Roden and High Ercall as the River Roden breaks its banks.

Flooded fields after the River Roden breaks its banks.

The weir at Walcot, near Wellington has burst its banks, flooding nearby fields.