Back-to-work commuters stranded by floods as wet weather continues
Floods in Gloucestershire. Getty
Heavy rain, storms and floods continue to batter Britain today as commuters returning to work after the Christmas holidays are left stranded by flooded roads and failed public transport.
Trains and buses are being cancelled and National rail has warned 'various routes' in the South West will be disrupted with 'poor road conditions' meaning even replacement bus services cannot run.
The Daily Telegraph reports that there are currently no trains between Reading, Heathrow and London Paddington, with ongoing engineering works causing major problems.
First Great Western has advised passengers not to travel unless it is absolutely essential due to a 'very limited' bus service.
East Midlands Parkway, Leicester and Peterborough have also been hit by delays due to a derailed freight train.
In London, the District line experienced major delays this morning due to signalling problems and there were closures on the Circle and Northern tube lines and DLR.
The News Shopper reports that the Thames Barrier was closed for this morning's tide after rain continued to fall, raising further flood fears. It is expected to reopen by 3pm.
According to the Daily Telegraph, the Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for heavy rain in the South West and the wet and stormy weather is expected to move north tomorrow.
A forecaster for MeteoGroup said: 'News bands of rain will sweep across Britain from west to east today, tomorrow and Saturday bringing some heavy showers.
'There will be some sunshine and clearer skies on Saturday but it will be a stormy weekend and noticeably wet and windy.
'Winds will reach up to 50mph in the north and west of the UK, and up to 90mph along the west coast of Scotland.'
Meanwhile, Sky News reports that 2012 has been one of the wettest years on record as it ends with more than 100 flood warnings in place.
Rainfall in 2012 has already exceeded the 1981-2010 annual average of around 1,150mm.
The wettest year on record is 2000 when more than 1,300mm of rain fell.
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