Roads shut over flooding fears

Roads and car parks in parts of Shropshire were closed today as melting snow and heavy rain swelled the River Severn and triggered flood warnings.

The Environment Agency put several flood warnings in place and Shropshire Council said the Frankwell Main and Frankwell Riverside car parks in Shrewsbury were closed.

Sydney Avenue in Castlefields, the road between Cross Houses and Atcham, Chiltern Farm Lane at Atcham and Gravel Hill Lane, near the West Midland Showground were also closed. Flood defences in the town have been put up as a precaution.

A Shropshire Council spokesman said: "The car parks closed at 11am on Sunday, but Theatre Severn remains open.

"The council advises theatre goers to use alternative car parks in the town centre.

"Alternatively Barker Street, Bridge Street and St Austin's Street and the Tannery car parks are closer to the theatre and remain open."

All other surface car parks in Shrewsbury remain open and the Park and Ride sites was continue to operate. as normal.

The Environment Agency has put several flood warnings in place for the River Severn but added that the levels upstream of Shrewsbury were now starting to fall.

Sections of the river at Melverley, near Oswestry, overflowed but did not seriously affect any nearby properties.

The river peaked early yesterday afternoon at Bridgnorth and Ironbridge but no damage to surrounding farmland or property was reported.