Warning as river on the rise

Flood barriers were this afternoon being put up in Ironbridge as fears grow over rising river levels. The Wharfage in the Gorge was also closed to traffic.

River Severn levels are expected to peak at just over five metres tonight.

The White Hart pub on the Wharfage has also closed temporarily until the flood waters go down.

Mike Hibbert, pub general manager, said: "I closed the business at 2pm and we have already moved some furniture upstairs because we know the lower part of the restaurant will come under a little bit of water.

"We have also moved some stock and we are just waiting now for the council to give us the all-clear to open again."

It comes as further rainfall and strong winds were expected to batter parts of Britain today with residents of hardest-hit Cumbria warned hundreds of homes could be left without power.

The River Severn in Shrewsbury and Ironbridge has been placed on flood warning by the Environment Agency today.

Sharon Robinson, from the Environment Agency, said of the river at Ironbridge: "We expect the river to peak over 5.2 metres tonight, which is why we are getting the defences put up today. They are preparing to get them there now."

David Morgan, of Telford & Wrekin Council, said: "The temporary flood defence barriers will be deployed at the Wharfage, Ironbridge, from this afternoon. The Wharfage will therefore be closed to traffic now. Drivers should follow the signed diversion routes and access to Coalbrookdale school will be via Jiggers Bank only."

In Cumbria, there are fears that the Calva Bridge in Workington, which carries communication cables for hundreds of homes, may collapse.

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