Clean up operation begins after Storm Bert flooding in Yate near Bristol

Summary

There has been significant flooding overnight in the West of England following Storm Bert
In Yate near Bristol, dozens of people have been evacuated from their homes
There is also flooding in Chippenham and Malmesbury in Wiltshire
Roads have been badly affected around Martock in Somerset
Rail operator GWR has warned passengers not to travel on Monday
The route from Bristol Parkway to London is blocked
Lines from Gloucester and from Bristol and Somerset to the South West also affected

Live Reporting

GWR: Don't travel on our network todaypublished at 08:23 Greenwich Mean Time
Rail operator GWR says that passengers should "not attempt to travel on any route today".
"You may use your ticket on Tuesday or Wednesday for any service", it added.
There is flooding between Swindon and Bristol Parkway and many other routes are facing severe delays.
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'Water was coming through the front door'published at 08:17 Greenwich Mean Time
Flooded Yate resident Ayden Mastif spoke to BBC Points West about the moment he realised something was wrong on Sunday night.
He said the first thing he noticed was that his WiFi cut off.
"One of my mates rang me and said 'have you checked outside?' and I was like 'nah'," he said.
"I got off the sofa and I was like 'what's going on? The floor's wet.'
"So she [my partner] started panicking and was like 'where is it?' and the water was coming through the front door."
Part of A40 in Gloucester 'virtually impassable'published at 08:11 Greenwich Mean Time
The A40 from The Forest of Dean towards Gloucester is "virtually impassable" on the approach to the Highnam Roundabout.
Callers into BBC Radio Gloucestershire have told us there are abandoned cars on the road and travel time is about one hour plus.
Yate councillor 'horrified' by floodingpublished at 08:06 Greenwich Mean Time
South Gloucestershire councillor Cheryl Kirby said she was "horrified" to hear about the flooding in Yate.
"I've lived here for 45 years, I have never seen anything like this before," she said.
"I've spoke to quite a few people who are as shocked as I am. They've not been flooded but they can't believe what's happening with their neighbours, people they know.
"They are worried about their pets and cars. It's just a shock, there's no other word for it.
"My heart goes out to the residents who are dealing with this, along with our superb emergency services who are absolutely brilliant at the moment trying to help everyone."
Fire service gives update on Yate floodingpublished at 07:55 Greenwich Mean Time
A spokesperson for the Avon Fire and Rescue Service said its crews will return to Slimbridge Close in Yate this morning to assess the water damage.
The flood water subsided at the close at about 02:30 GMT, but some houses have been flooded despite residents' best efforts to try to stop the water from entering their homes.
There are about 300 houses in the area - but not all of them have been affected, the spokesperson added.
Roads and schools closed in Chippenhampublished at 07:45 Greenwich Mean Time
Flood water has been so bad in Chippenham, Wiltshire, that the high street is virtually underwater.
The roads around The Bridge Centre roundabout are also submerged.
All three secondary schools in the town are closed today as staff cannot get in.
Image source, David Evans
Image caption,
Part of Chippenham's high street is submerged
Image source, David Evans
Image caption,
Flood water is covering The Bridge Centre roundabout
Cars stuck in flood waterpublished at 07:30 Greenwich Mean Time
This video was sent to us showing the level of flood water in Slimbridge Close, Yate.
If you have any flood videos or photos, please send them to us via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.
Media caption,
Dozens of residents were evacuated from their homes in Yate near Bristol
Yate floodingpublished at 07:15 Greenwich Mean Time
Here are some photos of Slimbridge Close in Yate, South Gloucestershire, taken last night.
Large amounts of flood water covered the road, with about 100 properties affected and residents evacuated from their homes by emergency services.
Image caption,
The road and properties in Slimbridge Close were hit by Storm Bert
Image caption,
Avon Fire and Rescue Service, mountain rescue, ambulance, police and water rescue teams were all at the scene
Image caption,
Some local residents said they were worried about leaving their homes
The roads which are still closedpublished at 07:02 Greenwich Mean Time
These are the roads across the West which are still closed due to flooding after Storm Bert hit our region on Saturday and Sunday.
- Bath: A431 Kelston Road is impassable and closed in both directions, from Penn Hill Road to the White Hart pub.
- Semington, Wiltshire: A361 is closed in both directions from The Lamb On The Strand pub to A350.
- Beckington, Somerset: The A36 is closed in both directions due to fallen power cables between the A361 and the A350 services roundabout at Warminster.
- Westonbirt, Gloucestershire: The 433 Church Street in both directions is closed from The Hare and Hounds Hotel (Westonbirt) to B4014 Market Place (Tetbury).
Widespread disruption across the Westpublished at 06:53 Greenwich Mean Time
Bristol and surrounding areas:
About 100 properties near Yate were flooded on Sunday evening and Avon Fire and Rescue Service had to evacuate people from their homes.
Six roads are affected with water rising very rapidly.
Dozens of firefighters, mountain rescue teams, the ambulance service and the police were all involved, door-knocking on people’s home to warn them of the flood water.
Gloucestershire:
No CrossCountry services between Birmingham New Street and Cheltenham Spa because of flooding, and replacement rail buses are being used run on the CrossCountry service between Gloucester and Newport (South Wales) because of flooding.
The Great Western Railway service between Gloucester and Bristol Parkway is also cancelled because of problems with the signals.
Tibberton Community Primary School and Forest High School are fully closed today.
Somerset:
The A3088 near Yeovil was closed from the junction for Montacute to the Garadore roundabout, after a five-vehicle collision - which included an overturned tanker.
Somerset Council said their teams had been "busy overnight responding to reports" of more than 30 fallen trees and areas of flooding.
Wiltshire:
The A3102 between Lyneham and Tockenham in Wiltshire was among the roads closed on Sunday afternoon due to flooding.
Problems on the trains after Storm Bert floodingpublished at 06:47 Greenwich Mean Time
GWR is reporting signifiant problems on the rail network this morning.
- Services between Bristol Parkway and London have been cancelled
- There are delays between Bristol and Gloucester
- There are cancellations between Bristol and Exeter
The advice is to check before you travel. Find out more from GWR here, external.
Welcome to our live pagepublished at 06:37 Greenwich Mean Time
A big clear up is under way across the West this morning after Storm Bert caused widespread disruption over the weekend.
Dozens of firefighters, mountain rescue, ambulance, police and water rescue were teams in Yate on Sunday.
Yate Leisure Centre is being used as a designated rescue shelter for local residents.