Flood barriers go up again in Shrewsbury

Environment Agency officials said the barriers were going up in Frankwell in response to high river levels and forecasts of further rain.

There are no current plans to put up barriers in Ironbridge.

The barriers were up in Shrewsbury over Christmas but were taken down at the end of last week.

Flood alerts remain in place for the River Severn, Teme, Onny, Corve, Lugg and the Severn Vyrnwy confluence.

And fresh alerts have been issued for the Rivers Tern, Perry, Roden, Strine, Meese and Rea, and Rea Cound and Ledwyche Brooks.

Yesterday's wet weather also caused local events to be cancelled, including the annual horse parade in the Whitchurch area.

River levels continue to stay high and ground remains waterlogged following heavy rainfall over the Christmas period, meaning that further downpours may cause rivers to rise again quickly.

In many areas of the county, standing water remains on road surfaces.

Fields are waterlogged and the River Severn is still breaching its banks in many places.

According to the Environment Agency the River Teme, River Onny and River Corve and their tributaries upstream of Ludlow are on alert and the A4113 at Leintwardine could be liable to flooding.

The River Lugg south of Leominster is also on flood alert as is the River Severn in Crew Green, Montford, Welsh Bridge, Buildwas and Bridgnorth.

The Severn Vyrnwy confluence at Llanymynech, Maesbrook, Cae Howel and Crew Green is also on alert and the Melverley Green to Maesbrook road, Cae Howel to Edgerley road, Ponthen to Cae Howel road, Melverley to Melverley Green road and Ponthen to Melverley road could all be subject to flooding.

• Environment Agency Live Flood Warning map - updated every 15 minutes

Despite the flood warnings, the Environment Agency said it was not planning to put up barriers in Shrewsbury or Ironbridge before the weekend.

Yesterday the weather caused disruptions to rail passengers as the Cardiff to Shrewsbury line was closed due to flooding between Newport and Hereford. Replacement buses were laid on for passengers affected by the closure.

Arriva Trains Wales said services were back to normal today, while tickets valid for travel yesterday will remain valid today.

The annual horse parade organised by the Whitchurch Area British Driving Society also had to be cancelled because of the weather.

Ponies and horses were due to gather at the lorry park in Prees Heath from 11am and set off from The Raven car park at 12.30pm, before heading into Whitchurch for a civic reception.

Organisers said the event has been running for about 30 years and believe it is only the second time they have been forced to cancel it.

Dot Moreland said: "It is such a shame because a lot of hard work goes into organising the event and preparing the horses. But we have to think about the safety of people and the horses.

"It is disappointing because it has been going for about 30 years and I think it has only been cancelled once."

Meanwhile, on the Shropshire border in Bewdley the annual New Year's Day duck race had to be cancelled because of the weather.

Not all events had to be cancelled, however, as AFC Telford's match against Hednesford Town was able to go ahead after volunteers turned out to help drain the pitch at the New Buck's Head.

The club used Twitter to appeal for fans to help dry out the pitch, and after volunteers armed with pitchforks helped alleviate some of the problem, the Bucks repaid the favour by winning 5-3.

Homeowners are urged to monitor forecasts closely.

West Mercia Police are warning drivers to steer clear of flood water on roads across the area.

Inspector Andy Smith of West Mercia Police said: "Motorists should not attempt to negotiate flooded roads. It can be very dangerous - especially when flood waters are rising.

"At the least people are going to get wet feet and in the worst cases you can lose your life.

"Flood waters can be very deceptive and even if one driver manages to get through a stretch of flood water, it does not mean that it is safe to follow. Even four-wheel-drive vehicles are not invincible when it comes to floods.

"Drivers need to think very carefully before trying to go through flood water. Do you want to risk damaging your vehicle and possibly losing your life just for the sake of turning around and finding another route?"