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South East road and rail closures after overnight flooding Flooding in South East continues to cause disruption
(about 1 hour later)
Flooding severely disrupted road and rail services for commuters in the south-east of England. Flooding is expected to cause more disruption as some river levels continue to rise in south-east England, the Environment Agency has warned.
A main line rail tunnel flooded, preventing trains from travelling between London and Brighton. The River Bourne in Kent is expected to reach its peak at about at about 18:00 GMT, putting an area between Hadlow and East Peckham at risk.
Flooding on the A23 in Sussex closed the road between Bolney and Pease Pottage. Flooding has severely disrupted road and rail services for commuters in the south-east of England.
The recent flood and storm damage has led to English and Welsh councils asking the government for help with the estimated £400m repair bill. The Balcombe tunnel flooded, disrupting trains between London and Brighton.
The government has announced £7m in extra aid to local authorities for storm repairs. Road users are facing closures in Kent,Sussex and Surrey due to flooding.
Between 20mm to 40mm of rain fell in Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex and Kent during the night, forcing Environment Agency staff to work overnight to keep watercourses clear. The Met Office said showers formed a line across a narrow area in the South East.
A spokesman said: "Our weather station at Charlwood in Surrey recorded 36.8mm of rain between 9am yesterday and 9am this morning, whereas Shoreham Airport further to the south saw just 3.4mm."
The agency has issued a flood warning for Gatwick Airport as water levels rise on the River Mole and Gatwick Stream.The agency has issued a flood warning for Gatwick Airport as water levels rise on the River Mole and Gatwick Stream.
Storm repair help
Numerous flights were cancelled at the airport after electricity sub-stations flooded on Christmas Eve.Numerous flights were cancelled at the airport after electricity sub-stations flooded on Christmas Eve.
An airport spokesman said Gatwick was operating normally on Friday. But an airport spokesman said Gatwick was operating normally on Friday.
He added that sandbags were in place around three sub-stations, water pumps were on hand and firefighters from the station on the site were on standby with pumping equipment. He said sandbags were in place around three sub-stations, water pumps were on hand and firefighters from the station on the site were on standby with pumping equipment.
Delays and cancellations The recent flood and storm damage has led to English and Welsh councils asking the government for help with the estimated £400m repair bill.
The Balcombe railway tunnel, Sussex, and the A23 have now reopened. The government has announced £7m in extra aid to local authorities for storm repairs.
Flooding in the tunnel meant there were no services between Haywards Heath and Three Bridges in either direction. Heavy rain fell in Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex and Kent overnight, forcing Environment Agency staff to work overnight to keep watercourses clear.
More than 70 million passenger journeys a year are made on the main London to Brighton line, with 2,500 trains passing through the Balcombe Tunnel each week. 'Travel early'
Southern Rail said delays and cancellations may still occur. Southern Rail said delays and cancellations could still occur and there is no service between East Grinstead and Hurst Green.
"We are anticipating conditions getting increasingly difficult as the evening progresses. We would therefore advise passengers to travel earlier if at all possible," a statement on the train company's website said.
There are also no train services between Tonbridge in Kent and Redhill in Surrey.
Southern tickets are being accepted on Southeastern and First Capital Connect services.Southern tickets are being accepted on Southeastern and First Capital Connect services.
Southeastern said there were alterations and cancellations on some Kent routes.
Flooding in the Balcombe tunnel meant there were no services between Haywards Heath and Three Bridges in either direction earlier.
More than 70 million passenger journeys a year are made on the main London to Brighton line, with 2,500 trains passing through the Balcombe Tunnel each week.
Earlier flooding on the A23 in Sussex closed the road between Bolney and Pease Pottage.
The Balcombe tunnel and the A23 have since reopened.
Passenger Barbara Groom, who was stuck on the Brighton line, said: "We were told by rail staff to call our bosses and tell them we can't get to work."Passenger Barbara Groom, who was stuck on the Brighton line, said: "We were told by rail staff to call our bosses and tell them we can't get to work."
There have also been no train services between Tonbridge, Kent, and Redhill, Surrey.
Graham Day, from Kent Fire and Rescue Service, said crews had rescued seven people, including a child, from vehicles in west Kent.Graham Day, from Kent Fire and Rescue Service, said crews had rescued seven people, including a child, from vehicles in west Kent.
Water had been pumped out of 18 properties, he added.Water had been pumped out of 18 properties, he added.
Sussex Police said some drivers had ignored warning signs and become stuck after driving into water.Sussex Police said some drivers had ignored warning signs and become stuck after driving into water.
However, passengers have been advised to allow plenty of extra time to reach the airport.However, passengers have been advised to allow plenty of extra time to reach the airport.
The Environment Agency has issued 11 flood warnings for parts of Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Oxfordshire and Berkshire.The Environment Agency has issued 11 flood warnings for parts of Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Oxfordshire and Berkshire.
It said "immediate action" was required for people to protect their homes.It said "immediate action" was required for people to protect their homes.
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