Roads closed and trains cancelled as Storm Chandra brings flooding to the South

  • ITV Meridian's Derek Johnson has a round up of the disruption across the south.

Roads and railways across the South of England have flooded overnight causing widespread disruption as Storm Chandra sweeps across the region.

Delays are expected throughout the day on roads, trains, and ferries with travel in Dorset - where the Met Office has issued an amber alert for rain - likely to be hit hardest.

Elsewhere, the Environment Agency has issued a warning in the Isle of Wight in Carisbrooke and Hunny Hill on the Lukely Brook.

  • A van becomes stuck in floodwater in the Allwater area of Hampshire.

It said properties in the area will flood and if the river breaks its banks parked cars and the nearby roads will be affected as well.

A yellow warning for rain is also in place from Hampshire to Kent and further North into the Thames Valley.

The Met Office said it expected 30-50 mm rainfall to fall on Monday and Tuesday.

Wareham Quay in Dorset flooded after a night of persistent rain from storm Chandra. Credit: Megan Brown

Commuters are being told to expect major train delays with Crosscountry services between Southampton Central and Bournemouth stopped because of flooding at Sway.

Great Western Railway and South Western Railway services have also been suspended between Salisbury and Romsey.

A spokesperson for Network Rail and South Western Railway said: “Heavy rain from Storm Chandra caused flooding in various locations across our network, notably causing the line to be blocked between Southampton and Bournemouth.

  • Flooded railway line at Sway, Dorset - Video courtesy of Network Rail

"The line reopened at around 9.30am but disruption is expected to last until midday.

"We are very sorry for the inconvenience this has caused. Passengers with valid tickets for travel today can now use those tickets tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, drivers are being urged to watch out for road closures, unexpected flooding and to take care in the poor conditions.

In Dorset, the A35 is shut both ways from Stinsford Hill to Dorchester and from Organford Lane to the Bakers Arms roundabout. In West Sussex, one lane is currently closed on the A264 from Horsham Road to Calvert Link.

Drivers are being warned to check for road closures because of flooding before they set off on their journeys. Credit: Megan Brown

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service Area Manager Ant Bholah said: “Very often, surface water doesn’t appear very deep but there can be unseen dips in the road which then catch drivers unaware.

"There is also a risk of drivers in larger vehicles driving through water without dropping their speed, which then creates a ‘bow wave’ effect – and this can cause significant risks for other vehicles.

"While this wet weather continues, please drive to the conditions and be particularly cautious at fords, where water levels can rise a lot in a short space of time.”

The River Wey around Nottington in Weymouth has reached one of its highest levels in recent memories. Credit: ITV Meridian

Overnight rain caused the River Wey around Nottington in Weymouth to reach one of its highest levels in recent memories.

Local resident Terry Gant said: "The river started rising at about midnight, and then it rose quite rapidly, until 2 o'clock.

"The forecast was for the rain to stop but it didn't. The flooding peaked at around 3 o'clock, and then it gradually receded."

  • Terry Gant, Nottington resident

High winds and poor sea conditions have also led to extensive ferry cancellations. All sailings on Hovertravel are cancelled between Ryde and Southsea - with further suspensions on Wightlink between Portsmouth and Ryde.

Storm Ingrid, which battered the South with strong winds and heavy rain earlier this month, has left the region particularly susceptible to flooding.

The Met Office said storm Chandra will gradually clear this afternoon.

  • Drivers are being warned to take extra care through flood water.

Kent County Council said it was taking action ahead of the storm arriving to stop flooding and ease disruption. It said: "Our Highways Team is stepping up preventative work across the county, from improving drainage systems to strengthening flood management infrastructure.

It added: "Climate change is bringing wetter winters and more intense rainfall to the UK - and Kent is no exception. Recent national climate reports show that the past decade has been around 10% wetter than the late 20th century average."

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