Heavy rainfall with flooding cause travel disruption across the UK

Friday, May 24, 2024

Flooding caused major travel disruption in Cumbria, with Carlisle hit by the heaviest rainfall in the UK.

The West Coast Main Line was blocked between the city and Lockerbie on Thursday morning, while Northern said services to Barrow-in-Furness were unable to run.

Carlisle recorded 65.6mm (2.5in) of rain over the previous 24 hours, according to the Met Office.

River levels in the village of Stockdalewath went above those seen during 2015’s Storm Desmond, the Environment Agency said, adding it was the “first time” an emergency alert was issued in the county.

The average rainfall for May in Carlisle is about 55mm (2.1in), the Met Office confirmed.

Holidaymakers Andy Mainprice and his wife Sharon woke up to “water up to their chests” after their new campervan flooded.

“It’s our first trip in it. It cost us £50,000 and it’s almost certainly written off… but we’re alive,” Mr Mainprice said.

Karl Melville, assistant director for highways at Cumberland Council, admitted the amount of rain had taken him by surprise.

More than 90 calls were made to the council’s highways department over a 12-hour period.

A group made up of emergency services and local authorities was set up overnight to respond to localised flooding.

Swifts Bank car park and Castle car park in Carlisle were closed, with people advised to use Caldew Riverside, Viaduct or West Walls car parks instead.

Ch Supt Mick Bird, from Cumbria Police, warned drivers on Thursday to “take care”.
“If you do come across a flooded road, please do not attempt to travel through as you cannot be sure of the water’s depth,” he added.

TransPennine Express warned of travel disruption between Preston and Carlisle.
Commercial director Darren Higgins also said services were “significantly disrupted” north of Carlisle.

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