Barriers deployed as residents brace for flooding

Flood barriers have gone up as parts of the West Midlands brace for further flooding in the wake of Storm Darragh.

The Environment Agency (EA) has set up barriers at Coleham Head in Shrewsbury and Shropshire Council warned drivers to avoid nearby roads on Monday.

Multiple flood warnings have been issued for the River Severn in Shropshire and Worcestershire as levels rose to more than six metres, meaning flooding of properties was possible, according to the EA.

Warnings have also been put in place for the River Wye in Hereford, River Sow in Stafford, River Trent in Rugeley and the River Vyrnwy near the Shropshire-Wales border.

The EA's Midlands team said on X that river levels were "high across the Midlands" due to the heavy rain from Storm Darragh.

"Before you head off to work, make sure you check your route for flooding," the post added.

The defences in Coleham Head, in Shrewsbury, also mean Longden Road, Hereford Road and Belle Vue Road are closed.

Frankwell and St Julians car parks remain closed, with the Severn expected to peak at the Welsh Bridge at Monday lunchtime.

The heavy winds brought down hundreds of trees across the region over the weekend, leading to widespread travel disruption.

A driver was killed on Saturday after a tree collapsed on to his car as he drove along Sutton Road in Erdington, Birmingham, at about 15:00 GMT.

Another man was seriously injured when he was struck by a tree while he walked with a woman and a child in a pram in Leamington Spa on Saturday.

About 7,000 homes and businesses remained without power in the region on Monday morning.

Astley CE Primary School in Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire, announced it would not open as its power was not due to be restored until 14:00 GMT.

St George's Primary School in Telford has also been closed due to having no water supply.

Severn Trent said this was a result of the storm causing damage to some of the pumps in the area.

West Midlands Railway warned there would be no trains between Bromsgrove and Redditch as well as Birmingham New Street and Lichfield Trent Valley until the end of the day due to trees falling on the tracks and damaging overhead lines.

The line between Stafford and Stoke-on-Trent has been closed for repairs in the wake of the storm, with replacements bus services in operation.

Emergency work is also being carried out on the West Coast Main Line in Polesworth, Warwickshire, meaning services between London and Scotland will either take longer or be cancelled.

Passengers were also warned there would be disruption to Transport for Wales services including between Shrewsbury and Birmingham International.

No trains would run until Tuesday with replacement transport between Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton, National Rail said.

However, Shrub Hill station has reopened after storm damage caused it to close for most of Sunday.

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