Station shut due to flood risk amid Storm Claudia

Rotherham Central has been closed until midday on Saturday

Rotherham Central station has been closed due to the risk of flooding during Storm Claudia.

Network Rail said it was taking the "proactive step" to shut the station until midday on Saturday to avoid damage to signalling and telecommunications equipment in the event of the River Don flooding.

An amber weather warning for rain is in force across parts of Yorkshire and the UK, with some areas expected to see up to 3in (80mm).

A number of train services operating in Sheffield, Leeds, Bradford, Scarborough and York have also been disrupted by the weather.

Network Rail said the closure meant no Northern or Supertram services would call at Rotherham Central until midday on Saturday.

Mark Hayles, Network Rail route operations manager, said: "We've taken proactive steps during severe weather in the past to successfully protect critical equipment from water damage, avoiding significant passenger disruption and associated costs.

"We apologise to passengers affected by the route closure. However, forecasts indicate flooding in the Rotherham area, and this is the most effective way to safeguard the railway and restore services as quickly as possible once conditions improve."

Rotherham Council said the Canal Barrier at Forge Island had been closed as a precaution

Meanwhile, Rotherham Council said it had also taken a number of flood prevention measures due to the conditions, though described the actions as "standard practice in such events".

The authority said pumps had been sent to Catcliffe to help with the drains and that the Canal Barrier had been closed as "a precautionary measure" as well as barriers at Forge Island.

Teams have also been sent to key areas to help with filling and distributing sandbags.

A council spokesperson said: "We will continue to keep all measures under review throughout the night and over the weekend."

National Rail said a reduced timetable was operating on some Northern trains, including on the Leeds, Skipton and Ilkley route as well as the Leeds, Ilkley and Bradford Forster Square route.

It said the weather had also affected various TransPennine Express routes and that the Scarborough and Manchester Victoria service would only run between Scarborough and York.

East Midlands Trains said no services would operate between Sheffield and Liverpool Lime Street.

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