Drivers abandoning cars as roads hit by flooding

Travel woes on St Stephen's Day have been compounded by flooding as the UK's roads struggle to cope with the deluge of rain.

North Wales has been worst hit, with drivers being forced to abandon their waterlogged cars in some areas.

Would-be festive travellers near flood-affected areas have been warned by police not to travel unless absolutely necessary on a day when many train services are not in operation.

With the ground already saturated, heavy rain over the past 24 hours has caused rivers to rise rapidly and the waterlogged A55 north Wales expressway is closed in both directions between junctions 11 and 15.

Flood waters on Anglesey described as treacherous. @AngleseyScMedia @ILoveBangorAye @Directory_Wales pic.twitter.com/QTJ66uTzMI

— Merlin Tomkins 🇺🇦 (@MerlinTomkins) December 26, 2015

The B5109 Llanfaes Beaumaris is also closed, as is the A5/A470 junction at Waterloo Bridge.

There is also heavy flooding on the A487 Bangor and the road is closed from Vaynol roundabout up to the St David’s retail park.

The Highways Agency also reports congestion A663 southbound between the A669 and the junction with the M60 in Lancashire.

Superintendent Nigel Harrison, who is leading the North Wales Police effort to the co-ordinated response, said: “Every effort is being made to ensure all the major road networks are reopened as soon as possible and people living in the affected areas need to heed the warnings and only travel when it is absolutely necessary.

“We are in close liaison with Natural Resources Wales to ensure the necessary steps are taken should any further evacuation be required.

“We are advising people not to travel unless it is absolutely essential, and then to allow extra time for journey as driving conditions may be difficult.

“Floodwater can be extremely dangerous and people should not attempt to walk or drive through it unless instructed by the emergency services.”

Flood warnings as downpours persist and high tides forecast for Wales https://t.co/awyKxp2aC1 pic.twitter.com/34g0KXIM1b

— ITV Wales News (@ITVWales) December 26, 2015

Limited rail services are being offered by Stansted Express, Chiltern Railways, Gatwick Express, Heathrow Express, Merseyrail, ScotRail, Southeastern, Southern and Thameslink, but no other operators are offering any services.

Trains will resume on December 27 but much of north Wales and the north of England will still be suffering from severe floods.

There are 21 severe flood warnings currently in place, including on the River Calder, Lancashire, the River Wyre near St Michaels South and the River Ribble, also Lancashire, the River Aire in Yorkshire, and at Walsden Water, Todmorden, West Yorkshire.