Flood warning for motorists (From Hereford Times)

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Flood warning for motorists

3:01pm Friday 5th September 2008

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By Philip Wilkinson-Jones »

HEREFORDSHIRE motorists are being warned to take extra care as heavy rain takes it toll on the county’s roads.

Lower Bullingham Lane in Hereford has already been closed because of flooding and Herefordshire Council’s highways department has recieved a number of reports of surface water on county roads.

Drivers are also being asked to move their cars from Merton Meadow car park in Hereford because of surface water.

The A466 in the Llancloudy/ Wormlow Tump area is passable with care and the A465 at Stoke Lacy is under two and a half feet of water - only passable in a 4x4.

The council also reports that the River Wye is about to burst its banks in the Sellack area near Ross.

Richard Ball, Herefordshire Council’s acting head of highways, said: “Drivers need to be aware there may be hidden dangers lurking under surface water and I would urge them to reduce their speed and drive according to the conditions.

“People should allow extra time for their journeys and drive sensibly.”

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service is also warning drivers to be careful.

Assistant chief fire officer Jon Hall said: “We would urge those drivers who regularly use fords as short cuts not to use over the next few days.

“Also, do not drive through floodwater - it is extremely dangerous. streams can suddenly become raging torrents.

“They are extremely fast flowing and dangerous and you could become trapped in your vehicle. Please take extra care on the roads and allow extra time for your journey.”

Log onto herefordshire.gov.uk or check the traffic updates at herefordtimes.com to get the latest on road closures.

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Your Say Your Herefordshire

Julie.A., hereford says...
5:32pm Fri 5 Sep 08

Hello,
I Hope that with all the reports of Flooding on Herefordshires Roads That There are some representatives from the Herefordshire Councils & Highways actually out there on the roads Today looking at the Problem Roads, Seeing / Noteing where the water hangs / pours out onto the roads etc. EX;,,,,,B4348 Locks Garage to PeterChurch Road. Also i am sure there r many others in poor condition.

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Herefordshire Council, Hereford says...
3:25am Sat 6 Sep 08

Herefordshire Council has opened its emergency information line in response to local concerns about the increased incidents of flooding in the county. Local people are urged to contact the council on 01432 260260 for the latest information on the state of the roads and emergency measures in place.

The emergency information line was opened at 1.30am today (Saturday 6 September) and people aware of flooded roads have also been asked to report the situation to the council on the emergency line.

Latest information is that the following roads are closed:

A40 Hereford to Gwent (inside lane of both carriageways)
A430 Hereford to Ledbury
A44 Leominster to Monkland
A438 at Tarrington
A465 Pandy to Pontrilas
A465 at Stoke Lacy
A417 at Canon Frome
A465 at Llangua
A465 at Mintridge
B4203 at Bromyard
A4103 at Lower Eggleton
A4103 East of Newtown Cross
B4521 St Owens Cross to Wormelow
Lower Bullingham Lane in Hereford

Motorists are now being told to take extra care during the weekend. Drivers need to be aware there may be hidden dangers lurking under surface water and they are urged to reduce their speed and drive according to the conditions, allowing extra time for their journeys.

In the meantime, drivers are being given these pieces of advice:

Listen to the local and national radio for travel information;

Tell someone at your destination what time you expect to arrive;

Remember that in wet
weather stopping distances are at least double those required for stopping on dry roads;

Keep well back from the vehicle in front, so you have the time and distance to break safely;

If steering becomes unresponsive it probably means the water is preventing the tyres from gripping the road, ease off the accelerator and slow down gradually;

Remember the rain and spray from vehicles makes it difficult to see and be seen so adjust your speed and drive more slowly and use your headlights;

Do not enter floodwater as there is no way of telling how deep it may be. This applies if you are on foot as well as in a vehicle. Manhole covers may have been loosened or removed so there could be extremely dangerous hidden hazards in floodwater;

Please respect road closure signs - they are there for your safety and mean the road is impassable;

Avoid any non essential journeys.

Herefordshire Council has opened its emergency information line in response to local concerns about the increased incidents of flooding in the county. Local people are urged to contact the council on 01432 260260 for the latest information on the state of the roads and emergency measures in place. The emergency information line was opened at 1.30am today (Saturday 6 September) and people aware of flooded roads have also been asked to report the situation to the council on the emergency line. Latest information is that the following roads are closed: A40 Hereford to Gwent (inside lane of both carriageways) A430 Hereford to Ledbury A44 Leominster to Monkland A438 at Tarrington A465 Pandy to Pontrilas A465 at Stoke Lacy A417 at Canon Frome A465 at Llangua A465 at Mintridge B4203 at Bromyard A4103 at Lower Eggleton A4103 East of Newtown Cross B4521 St Owens Cross to Wormelow Lower Bullingham Lane in Hereford Motorists are now being told to take extra care during the weekend. Drivers need to be aware there may be hidden dangers lurking under surface water and they are urged to reduce their speed and drive according to the conditions, allowing extra time for their journeys. In the meantime, drivers are being given these pieces of advice: Listen to the local and national radio for travel information; Tell someone at your destination what time you expect to arrive; Remember that in wet weather stopping distances are at least double those required for stopping on dry roads; Keep well back from the vehicle in front, so you have the time and distance to break safely; If steering becomes unresponsive it probably means the water is preventing the tyres from gripping the road, ease off the accelerator and slow down gradually; Remember the rain and spray from vehicles makes it difficult to see and be seen so adjust your speed and drive more slowly and use your headlights; Do not enter floodwater as there is no way of telling how deep it may be. This applies if you are on foot as well as in a vehicle. Manhole covers may have been loosened or removed so there could be extremely dangerous hidden hazards in floodwater; Please respect road closure signs - they are there for your safety and mean the road is impassable; Avoid any non essential journeys.

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Herefordshire Council, Hereford says...
6:36am Sat 6 Sep 08

Herefordshire Council has released an update on road closures today:

A40 Hereford to Gwent (inside lane of both carriageways)
A430 Hereford to Ledbury
A44 Leominster to Monkland
A438 at Tarrington
A465 Pandy to Pontrilas
A465 at Stoke Lacy
A465 at Eywas Harold
A417 at Canon Frome
A465 at Llangua (as the River Dore burst its banks)
A465 at Mintridge
B4203 at Bromyard
A4103 at Lower Eggleton
A4103 East of Newtown Cross
B4521 St Owens Cross to Wormelow
Bullingham Lane in Hereford

The council's emergency information line number is 01432 260260.

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