Shropshire on flood alert as Storm Eva is set to strike

The Met Office has warned of torrential rain and 80mph winds on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, and Environment Agency workers are on standby in case the county's flood defences are required.

The first phase of Shrewsbury's Frankwell flood barriers were put in place on Tuesday, although it is not expected that further phases will be required unless there is more heavy rain in Wales.

Frankwell Main Long Stay car park is due to remain open today but with restricted parking because of rising levels.

In Bridgnorth, a riverside road has been closed to traffic due to flooding. Severnside South, which runs along the River Severn in Low Town, was under water yesterday between the B4363 Bridge Street junction and the Severn Street junction.

Dave Throup, of the Environment Agency, said that they would be closely monitoring the situation in case further defences are needed at Frankwell, Coleham, or Ironbridge.

He said: "We are watching a band of weather coming through Christmas Day and Boxing Day that may push levels back up but there is a lot of uncertainty about where that will sit.

"We are expecting the river to peak in Shrewsbury today but it is not looking to be that dramatic. We have the lower level of defences up at the moment and they will cope with what is coming through."

• See all current Shropshire flood warnings and alerts here

Mr Throup added: "We are ready and everything is in place if we need to use them over the next few days." Storm Eva also threatens more misery for residents of Cumbria who have been struggling to cope in the aftermath of Storm Desmond.

Some towns and villages in the county were flooded for a third time in a month on Tuesday, with Glenridding, Keswick and Kendal all hit again. In Appleby, the River Eden burst its banks once more, causing localised flooding in the low lying Sands area of the town.

A flood warning siren prompted dozens of local people to rush to help – before the stone bridge over the river was closed as a precaution.

Paul Mustow, deputy director in flood and coastal risk management at the Environment Agency, said Storm Eva could lead to flooding in areas of Shropshire.

He said: "Our thoughts are with all those who have had their homes and businesses flooded throughout the run-up to Christmas.

"Staff are now on the ground taking action to support communities affected, as well as checking the condition of flood defences and the position of pumps and temporary flood barriers.

"The Environment Agency is also preparing for the possibility of further unsettled weather from Christmas Day into Boxing Day.

"More rain is forecast and this could lead to some disruption. In addition to Cumbria's existing flood defences, the Environment Agency has transported over two kilometers of temporary flood barriers and more than 20 extra pumps to the North of England.

Continuing rain in Wales could also see parts of Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire experience flooding impacts to land and roads from the River Wye and River Severn."