Barriers going up with flood alerts in place across the region as Storm Gerrit sweeps in

The barriers on the Wharfage were being put up this morning according to Telford & Wrekin Council, with barriers at Frankwell in Shrewsbury, and Bewdley, having been in place since before Christmas to guard against rising river levels.

A number of flood alerts are in place for Shropshire and down into Worcester, but the most serious flood warnings have been lifted.

It comes as heavy rain was falling in Shropshire this morning, with the rain expected to continue into tomorrow.

The Environment Agency's Chris Bainger had delivered a live update on the situation in Shropshire on Christmas Day, and explained that defences had been put up in a number of locations in preparation.

He said: "Here in Shrewsbury we are already prepared our flood defences are in place for the coming days and we probably will see further flood defences put in place, flood warnings and flood alters, downstream of here in Bewdley we are also prepared and have those flood barriers in place there.

"So over the coming days we want you to stay safe, most importantly you can get flood warnings on your mobile device through gov.uk.

"And please sign up to the flood warning service and you will receive text alerts when there are warnings and alert that have been issued."

Flood alerts on the government website are still in place for the River Severn throughout Shropshire, with the status issued on Boxing Day saying: "River levels have peaked at the Crew Green river gauge as a result of heavy rainfall. Consequently, flooding of roads and farmland is expected to continue.

"We expect flooding to affect low lying land and roads adjacent the river from Shrewsbury to Upper Arley. Locations that may be affected are White Abbey, Coalbrookdale, Ironbridge and Bridgnorth. River Severn bankfull at White Abbey."

The Environment Agency said river levels are expected to remain high until December 29, and added that they are closely monitoring the situation with incident response staff checking defences.

The alert for Bewdley is still in place with the government's Boxing Day update saying: "We expect flooding to affect Low lying land and roads adjacent the river from Highley to Tewkesbury. Locations affected are Stourport, Holt Fleet, Worcester, Kempsey, Severn Stoke and Upton upon Severn."

It added that with further rainfall is forecast over the next 24 hours and that it was closely monitoring the situation and liaising with emergency services.

Other flood alerts are in place for the Severn Vyrnwy confluence, with the Boxing Day warning stating: "River levels are forecast to rise at the Llanymynech river gauge as a result of heavy rainfall expected overnight tonight.

"Consequently, flooding of roads and farmland is expected to begin between 6am and 9am tomorrow.

"We expect flooding to affect low lying land and roads adjacent to the river from the Welsh border at Llawnt to Shrawardine near Shrewsbury.

"Other locations that may be affected include Llanymynech, Maesbrook and Melverley. Minor roads between Maesbrook, Melverley and Pentre start to flood.

An alert is also still in place for the Tern, in North Shropshire, with an update this morning stating: "River levels are forecast to rise at on the rivers Tern and Perry as a result of heavy rainfall. Consequently, flooding of roads and farmland is expected to begin between 9am and 11am today.

"We expect flooding to affect low lying land and roads adjacent to the river from Wolverley to Newport. Other locations that may be affected include Market Drayton, Wem and Rodington."

Weather warnings are in place for wind and rain as Storm Gerrit sweeps across the country.

Travellers have been warned of delays and potentially hazardous conditions on their way home from the Christmas holidays, with the storm forecast to bring wintry weather for some.

Wind warnings are in place for the south of England and across the English Channel coast as well as parts of western Wales, north-west England, Northern Ireland, northern Scotland and the northern isles.

Some delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are likely.

(PA Graphics)Ferry operator Red Funnel, which provides services between Southampton and Cowes on the Isle of Wight, warned customers to expect cancellations on its Red Jet passenger services due to strong winds.

Hovercraft services between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight are currently suspended.

Network Rail Scotland has imposed speed restrictions on Wednesday and travellers are urged to check for cancellations.

ScotRail customer operations director Phil Campbell said: “We will be working closely with our colleagues at Network Rail Scotland to ensure we are able to keep people moving as much as possible, but customers should also expect that their journeys will take longer than usual, and there could be some cancellations.”

The M48 Severn Bridge in Gloucestershire is currently closed in both directions due to strong winds, National Highways said.

Drivers are advised to use the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge as an alternate route.

Last week, people travelling for Christmas were among those affected as Storm Pia lashed parts of the UK in the countdown to the festive season.

Winds of more than 80mph battered northern parts of the UK, with gusts of 81mph recorded at Brizlee Wood near Alnwick, Northumberland, and at Baltasound on Shetland, with 70mph gusts reported elsewhere in the North East of England.

Met Office meteorologist Simon Partridge said Storm Gerrit was named as a warning to people travelling after the Christmas holidays.

He said: “Due to the extent of the warnings that are being issued, it was deemed that a named storm would be a good idea because it will highlight to the public the risk associated, particularly as today is likely to be quite a busy day on the roads with people travelling back home from Christmas and things like that.”

Mr Partridge said wet and windy weather will cover “pretty much the whole of the UK”, with significant snowfall in parts of Scotland.

A yellow rain and snow warning is in place until 9pm across much of Scotland on Wednesday.

Mr Partridge added: “There are wind warnings out for the south of England, across the English Channel coast.

Only the central section of the UK does not have a wind warning (Danny Lawson/PA)“But we also have wind warnings in force for parts of western Wales, north-west England, Northern Ireland, northern Scotland and the northern isles.”

He said only the central section of the UK does not have a wind warning.

Wind warning areas can expect gusts of 50-60mph, with up to 70mph on high ground and exposed coasts.

“In terms of rain, we have rain warnings out for the whole of Northern Ireland, western Wales, north-west England, and then there’s a combined sort of rain and snow warning for Scotland,” Mr Partridge said.

Rain in the warning areas is forecast to be between 40-60mm, with the potential for 70-90mm in the western hills of Wales and the western side of the Pennines.

There is a chance of power cuts, as well as a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded.

Anywhere above 200 metres in Scotland and the northern isles is likely to see some snow, he added.