Thousands of rail passengers travelling between London and Wales have been affected by flooding.
Thousands of rail passengers travelling between London and Wales have been affected by flooding.
First Great Western said there were service delays, alterations and cancellations on services because of flooding in the West Country.
First Great Western said there were service delays, alterations and cancellations on services because of flooding in the West Country.
Many roads including the M4 and M5 interchange were affected by snowfall and flooding, with fears that homes and businesses could also be affected.
Many roads including the M4 and M5 interchange were affected by snowfall and flooding, with fears that homes and businesses could also be affected.
Bristol Airport temporarily closed its runway and advised of delays.
Bristol Airport temporarily closed its runway and advised of delays.
West Country train operator First Great Western (FGW) said tickets for Friday would be valid for Saturday and Sunday and advised people not to travel unless necessary.
West Country train operator First Great Western (FGW) said tickets for Friday would be valid for Saturday and Sunday and advised people not to travel unless necessary.
Further heavy rain is expected later on Sunday and there may be further localised flooding problems BBC meteorologist Richard Angwin The track between Swindon and Bath Spa was reported to be under water, with flooding to the west of Swindon also causing major problems.
Further heavy rain is expected later on Sunday and there may be further localised flooding problems BBC meteorologist Richard Angwin
FGW also confirmed flooding around Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire, as well as in Gloucester. Some services have been replaced with buses.
FGW confirmed flooding around Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire, Flax Bourton in North Somerset, and in three places between Swindon and Bristol Parkway, as well as in Gloucester.
Network Rail said the line between Swindon and Bristol Parkway was closed and trains were being diverted via Bath Spa.
It was advising customers to check with National Rail enquiries before travelling.
No trains are running between Bristol Temple Meads and Weston-super-Mare.
Network Rail said trains between Swindon and Bristol Parkway were being diverted via Bath Spa.
No trains are running between Bristol Temple Meads, Weston-super-Mare and Taunton.
The A370 at Backwell was badly flooded. Pic Ollie Coghill
The A370 at Backwell was badly flooded. Pic Ollie Coghill
"People's journeys are being hit but we are able keep things running," the Network Rail spokesman said.
The village of Broughton Gifford in Wiltshire remains virtually cut-off by flood water and roads around South Marston which were severely flooded earlier on Friday are now passable.
The village of Broughton Gifford in Wiltshire is cut-off by flood water and police are not allowing people or vehicles in or out.
James Gray, the MP for North Wiltshire, who lives in Broughton Gifford, is one of those marooned.
James Gray, the MP for North Wiltshire, who lives in the village, is one of the people marooned.
Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said it had been a busy afternoon with more than 30 incidents as a result of the weather
In Gloucestershire there is a flood warning in force for the entire length of the River Severn and a severe flood warning on the River Lyd in Lydney
Snow is now falling in parts of Wiltshire and abandoned cars on the A419 are making driving difficult.
On the roads, the M5 northbound was affected near junction 20 after a crash and a series of A-roads were flooded.
Freeze overnight
Children rescued
In Gloucestershire there is a flood warning in force for the entire length of the River Severn and a severe flood warning on the River Lid in Lydney
These include the A39 Bath to Wells road, the A378 near Taunton, the A370 at Backwell, which has been badly affected, and the A420.
The A 417 is reported to be gridlocked with many motorists abandoning their vehicles.
Birdlip Hill remains impassable.
Gloucestershire Highways has 38 gritters on standby but is unable do anything till the rain lightens amid fears the torrential rain will wash the grit away.
There are concerns the freeze expected overnight will cause problems and also that the gritters may not be able to treat all areas in time.
Police are appealing to motorists in the county not to travel unless necessary and to keep their speed down.
About 10 homes in Lydney are reported to have been flooded.
Children had to be rescued from a primary school in North Somerset
Many motorists have told BBC Radio Gloucestershire of how they spent three to four hours on their homeward journey.
About 40 children had to be rescued from a primary school in North Somerset after a flooded road cut off access.
About 40 children had to be rescued from a primary school in North Somerset after a flooded road cut off access.
Some children were rescued from Chew Stoke Primary School using a tractor.
Some of the children were rescued from Chew Stoke Primary School using a tractor.
TRAVEL HOTSPOTS Roads and railway lines affected by floodingM4 and M5 interchange floodedThe A39, A378, A370, A420 and A36 are all floodedRail services operating out of Paddington to Wales and the West Country affectedRail services operating between London, Bristol and Wales diverted via Bath and ChippenhamNo services from Bristol to Taunton or Weston-super-MareReplacement coach service between Bristol Parkway and NewportTrain shuttle running between Newport and Swansea
Head teacher Sarah Fuller said: "The children were excited and we played the incident down. The team of staff was absolutely fantastic. They got on the phones and told parents to come and collect their children.
Head teacher Sarah Fuller said: "The children were excited and we played the incident down. The team of staff was absolutely fantastic. They got on the phones and told parents to come and collect their children.
"One couple trying to collect their children had their car swept away - it's been written off and it's now in farmland."
"One couple trying to collect their children had their car swept away - it's been written off and it's now in farmland."
'Deja vu'
Avon Fire and Rescue Service said its high volume pump was used at Backwell to clear water from the A370. This was last used at Gloucester during the summer at the Walham electricity station.
Avon Fire and Rescue Service said its high volume pump was used at Backwell to clear water from the A370. This was last used at Gloucester during the summer at the Walham electricity station.
Spokesman James Bladen said: "It has been a very busy afternoon and several people have needed assistance after becoming trapped in their cars."
Tim Aston, 40, and his wife and children have been living in a caravan on the driveway of their home in Tewkesbury since being flooded out in July.
Gloucestershire Police are monitoring the situation and a flood watch has been put in place on the River Severn. An emergency centre has been opened by the county council.
Icy stretches
Tim Aston, 40, and his wife and children have been living in a caravan on the driveway of their home in Tewkesbury since being flooded in July.
"The kids have been sent home early from school because the river's coming up again," he said.
"The kids have been sent home early from school because the river's coming up again," he said.
"It's really falling down here - I've got deja vu. We're feeling frazzled, we've really been through a lot and now we're twitchy."
"It's really falling down here - I've got deja vu. We're feeling frazzled, we've really been through a lot and now we're twitchy."
Flooding at Wootton Bassett was blamed for the delays
Flooding at Wootton Bassett was blamed for the delays
At Chilcompton, two ladies had to be rescued after a car became trapped in water. And one person was rescued on the Long Ashton bypass near Bristol in similar circumstances.
At Chilcompton, two ladies had to be rescued after a car became trapped in water. And one person was rescued close to the Long Ashton bypass near Bristol, in similar circumstances.
Flooding of houses and shops has also been reported on Gloucester Road in Bristol, Limpley Stoke, Lansdown, Hinton Charterhouse, Winford and Paulton.
Winterbourne and Frampton Cottrell were also said to be affected, as was the A36 from Bath to Beckington.
Highways experts warned that the snow and rain could turn to ice overnight and warned drivers to be careful.
Highways experts warned that the snow and rain could turn to ice overnight and warned drivers to be careful.
BBC meteorologist Richard Angwin said: "Between 25 and 35 millimetres of rain, sleet and snow fell across the region. That is about one third of the average January rainfall.
BBC meteorologist Richard Angwin said: "Between 25 and 35 millimetres of rain, sleet and snow fell across the region. That is about one third of the average January rainfall.
"Whilst rain, sleet and snow will continue to fall during the evening it is expected to become dry and clear later tonight leading to freezing temperatures.
"Icy stretches are expected on untreated roads and drivers are advised to take great care on the roads.
"Icy stretches are expected on untreated roads and drivers are advised to take great care on the roads.
"Further heavy rain is expected later on Sunday and there may be further localised flooding problems."
"Further heavy rain is expected later on Sunday and there may be further localised flooding problems."
Have you been affected by this story? Send us your comments, using the form below.
Have you been affected by this story? Send us your comments, using the form below.
