'Floods in UK: Travel disrupted by heavy rain in northern England and Wales' diff viewer (14/15) - News Sniffer

This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on November 26, 2012 03:36 (UTC). It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20490999

The article has changed 26 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Previous version 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Next version

Version 14	Version 15
~~Floods in UK: Travel disrupted as storms head north~~	Floods in UK: Travel disrupted as rain head north
2012-11-26 15:50:03 UTC	2012-11-26 17:05:09 UTC (about 1 hour later)
Heavy rain and flooding are disrupting parts of the road and rail network as storms move on to north-east England and north Wales.	Heavy rain and flooding are disrupting parts of the road and rail network as storms move on to north-east England and north Wales.
Closures, delays and safety warnings are affecting dozens of A-roads, while cancellations and delays have also hit some national rail services.	Closures, delays and safety warnings are affecting dozens of A-roads, while cancellations and delays have also hit some national rail services.
About 200 flood warnings and 300 alerts are in force in England and Wales.	About 200 flood warnings and 300 alerts are in force in England and Wales.
The environment secretary urged people to keep up to date with flood warnings to avoid "terrible tragedies".	The environment secretary urged people to keep up to date with flood warnings to avoid "terrible tragedies".
Some 800 homes, mainly in south-west England, were flooded at the weekend, and two people died in the storms.	Some 800 homes, mainly in south-west England, were flooded at the weekend, and two people died in the storms.
Devon and Cornwall were particularly badly hit, along with Malmesbury in Wiltshire and Kempsey in Worcestershire - where a new £1.5 million flood defence project broke down after an electrical problem.	Devon and Cornwall were particularly badly hit, along with Malmesbury in Wiltshire and Kempsey in Worcestershire - where a new £1.5 million flood defence project broke down after an electrical problem.
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson, visiting Exeter where the river Exe burst its banks, said: "It's a bit hard to focus on one failure when we've had a very large number of schemes working successfully over the past few days and which will continue to work as this wet weather comes in over the coming few days.	Environment Secretary Owen Paterson, visiting Exeter where the river Exe burst its banks, said: "It's a bit hard to focus on one failure when we've had a very large number of schemes working successfully over the past few days and which will continue to work as this wet weather comes in over the coming few days.
"But I think I would ask everyone to work together - work with the Environment Agency, look at the website, so you can get warned, because I am worried some of these terrible tragedies we've had could have been avoided if people had kept themselves up to date with the information we're putting up."	"But I think I would ask everyone to work together - work with the Environment Agency, look at the website, so you can get warned, because I am worried some of these terrible tragedies we've had could have been avoided if people had kept themselves up to date with the information we're putting up."
The two areas forecast to be worst affected by heavy rain on Monday were the north-east of England, and Yorkshire and Humber regions, while north Wales would suffer from rain falling on already-saturated ground, potentially leading to flooding.	The two areas forecast to be worst affected by heavy rain on Monday were the north-east of England, and Yorkshire and Humber regions, while north Wales would suffer from rain falling on already-saturated ground, potentially leading to flooding.
The Met Office issued amber "be prepared" weather warnings for all three areas, valid until midnight.	The Met Office issued amber "be prepared" weather warnings for all three areas, valid until midnight.
The Environment Agency, which tries to reduce the risk of flooding, has issued ~~199~~ flood warnings across England and Wales, which mean people should take action because flooding is expected. There are also ~~290~~ less severe flood alerts - indicating people should prepare for possible flooding.	The Environment Agency, which tries to reduce the risk of flooding, has issued 194 flood warnings across England and Wales, which mean people should take action because flooding is expected. There are also 287 less severe flood alerts - indicating people should prepare for possible flooding.
The flooding of hundreds of homes comes at a "crisis point" in talks between insurance companies and the government about flood cover.	The flooding of hundreds of homes comes at a "crisis point" in talks between insurance companies and the government about flood cover.
An existing agreement, reached in 2008 but set to end in June 2013, obliges insurers to provide cover for high-risk properties while the government continues to improve flood defences.	An existing agreement, reached in 2008 but set to end in June 2013, obliges insurers to provide cover for high-risk properties while the government continues to improve flood defences.
The insurance industry said many thousands more householders could see premiums rise if no deal was struck between insurers and the government, but Mr Paterson said it was "not helpful to alarm people when we are in close, detailed negotiations."	The insurance industry said many thousands more householders could see premiums rise if no deal was struck between insurers and the government, but Mr Paterson said it was "not helpful to alarm people when we are in close, detailed negotiations."
South-west England continued to suffer considerable disruption to rail services on Monday, while flooding also caused delays on the following routes: between Durham and York; between Derby and Nottingham/Loughborough; between Shrewsbury and Craven Arms; and between Bangor and Holyhead.	South-west England continued to suffer considerable disruption to rail services on Monday, while flooding also caused delays on the following routes: between Durham and York; between Derby and Nottingham/Loughborough; between Shrewsbury and Craven Arms; and between Bangor and Holyhead.
A landslip near Dorking, Surrey, has also disrupted services between London and Horsham, West Sussex.	A landslip near Dorking, Surrey, has also disrupted services between London and Horsham, West Sussex.
The Association of Train Operating Companies said, as of 14:00 GMT, 20% of trains across Britain did not arrive on time on Monday because of the bad weather.	The Association of Train Operating Companies said, as of 14:00 GMT, 20% of trains across Britain did not arrive on time on Monday because of the bad weather.
On the roads, some of the worst-hit areas have been in Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire.	On the roads, some of the worst-hit areas have been in Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire.
Latest local news, travel and weather Find your local BBC site	Latest local news, travel and weather Find your local BBC site
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Sepa, has two flood alerts in place in the Borders and Edinburgh and Lothians regions. There are none in Northern Ireland.	The Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Sepa, has two flood alerts in place in the Borders and Edinburgh and Lothians regions. There are none in Northern Ireland.
In developments around the country:	In developments around the country:
The River Ouse burst its banks in York, flooding riverside buildings in the city centre, including one pub which was engulfed by a metre of water All planned surgery was cancelled at Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, due to rising floodwaters In Malmesbury, town residents have started a clear-up after what the mayor called the worst flooding there in 70 years Residents of Kempsey, Worcestershire, have criticised the village's flood defences which they say has made the flooding worse than in 2007 The National Memorial Arboretum, near Alrewas, Staffordshire, is closed because of flooded roads in the surrounding area, and people planning visits later in the week are advised to check the official website	Residents in href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-20493034" >Gloucestershire villages in the Tewkesbury area were given the option to stay put or be moved to safe areas, amid concerns that water levels on the River Severn might block access The River Ouse burst its banks in York, flooding riverside buildings in the city centre, including one pub which was engulfed by a metre of water All planned surgery was cancelled at Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, due to rising floodwaters In Malmesbury, town residents have started a clear-up after what the mayor called the worst flooding there in 70 years Residents of Kempsey, Worcestershire, have criticised the village's flood defences which they say has made the flooding worse than in 2007 The National Memorial Arboretum, near Alrewas, Staffordshire, is closed because of flooded roads in the surrounding area, and people planning visits later in the week are advised to check the official website
Environment minister Richard Benyon has said he is "impressed with how the emergency services and Environment Agency have responded" to wet weather.	Environment minister Richard Benyon has said he is "impressed with how the emergency services and Environment Agency have responded" to wet weather.
He is due to make a statement to the House of Commons on the flooding about 17:30 GMT.	He is due to make a statement to the House of Commons on the flooding about 17:30 GMT.
"What we learned from the floods in 2007 has been invaluable and what local authorities are doing... working with the Environment Agency, with the emergency services, is certainly improving the situation - but if your house is flooded it feels pretty bleak," he said.	"What we learned from the floods in 2007 has been invaluable and what local authorities are doing... working with the Environment Agency, with the emergency services, is certainly improving the situation - but if your house is flooded it feels pretty bleak," he said.
The minister added: "We are better prepared, but no-one is taking away from the misery that these floods have caused or the threat of further floods. You can only feel sorry for those people.	The minister added: "We are better prepared, but no-one is taking away from the misery that these floods have caused or the threat of further floods. You can only feel sorry for those people.
"Our estimate is that about 20,000 homes have been protected by flood defences that have built in the past few years."	"Our estimate is that about 20,000 homes have been protected by flood defences that have built in the past few years."
But Stephen Gilbert, the Liberal Democrat MP for St Austell and Newquay, said the events of the last two days "should be a wake-up call for a government that needs to grip this issue and do so quickly".	But Stephen Gilbert, the Liberal Democrat MP for St Austell and Newquay, said the events of the last two days "should be a wake-up call for a government that needs to grip this issue and do so quickly".
To access more information, from your mobile, visit the BBC Weather and BBC Travel News sites.	To access more information, from your mobile, visit the BBC Weather and BBC Travel News sites.

The enhanced content on this page requires Javascript and Flash Player 9	The enhanced content on this page requires Javascript and Flash Player 9
Map Key Land Cloud Lakes, Rivers & Sea Fog Light Heavy Frost Light Heavy Pressure Fronts Cold Warm Occluded Rain Light Heavy Extreme Snow Light Heavy	Map Key Land Cloud Lakes, Rivers & Sea Fog Light Heavy Frost Light Heavy Pressure Fronts Cold Warm Occluded Rain Light Heavy Extreme Snow Light Heavy
Temperature tab only	Temperature tab only
Temperature (°C) More details from BBC Weather	Temperature (°C) More details from BBC Weather
Has your area been affected by the flooding? Have you been affected by travel delays? Send us your comments using the form below.	Has your area been affected by the flooding? Have you been affected by travel delays? Send us your comments using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.	Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions	Read the terms and conditions

Previous version 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Next version