Heavy rainfall wreaks havoc for Wolverhampton motorists as roads are flooded

Blocked drains on the A454 left cars wading through nearly a foot of water.

Heavy rain fell overnight and early this morning across the region.

Commuters were left having to negotiate the flooded carriageway as water spread on to the pavements and came close to the front of businesses along the route.

Giuseppe Albanese, who runs Pep's Plaice chip shop, said: "This has been happening for a few months now – every time it rains the drains can't cope – but it seems a lot worse today.

"There was some heavy rain and it has caused these flash floods and it has caused quite a few problems for people."

Severn Trent engineers who were already on site for the repairs to the water pipe on the bridge have drained the water from the road and the issue has been reported to Wolverhampton City Council.

Severn Trent spokeswoman Sarah Macarthur said: "As they were carrying out work at the site anyway they have cleared the water from the road."

Council spokesman Paul Brown said: "Severn Trent have alerted us to the problem and we are looking into it." Forecasters have warned there could be more showers tomorrow but Sunday is expected to be drier and warmer.

The country enjoyed a long spell of hot and dry weather in July, with temperatures reaching as high as 33C (91F).

But the dry spell came to an end on July 22, when heavy rain and thunderstorms hit causing chaos across the area.

A woman had to be rescued from rising floodwaters at Trescott Ford in South Staffordshire. The ford is regularly hit by flooding in heavy rain.

It has prompted MP Gavin Williamson to arrange a meeting with water company chiefs to raise concerns over the problem.