Flash flooding closes roads and blocks rail lines

Flash flooding has caused widespread disruption for rail and road users and businesses in Shropshire.

Heavy rain on Wednesday meant Transport for Wales services between Shrewsbury and Crewe, Shrewsbury and Wrexham, and Wem and Yorton were cancelled and replaced by buses because of water on the lines.

West Midlands Railways later reported flooding between Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton.

The operator said replacement bus services would run between Shrewsbury and Birmingham New Street, warning that disruption was expected until the end of the day.

The same bit of rail line was shut due to flooding two weeks ago, when water on the line at Wellington Station meant trains could not get through.

Elsewhere, Station Road in Gobowen was closed after heavy flooding and water was flowing into people's homes as cars drove through it, police said.

Photos on social media also showed mud and water on the A49 from Church Stretton to Shrewsbury.

In a statement, Shropshire Council asked road users to consider if their journeys were necessary, and asked them not to drive through floodwater.

It said highways teams were out across the county but were unlikely to get to every location affected.

The A49 was shut in both directions between the B4368 near Craven Arms and the B4371 near Church Stretton, National Highways said.

Clive Medical Practice, near Shrewsbury, was also forced to close to all patients as routes to the surgery were blocked by water.

Flash flooding also affected the neighbouring county of Herefordshire, causing several schools to shut.

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