Flood alerts on rivers and train services disrupted after heavy rain

Flood alerts, in a low risk category, issued yesterday (Wed) by the Environment Agency remain in place today (Thursday) for the River Kennet and its tributaries from Berwick Bassett down to Newbury.
This includes Marlborough, Ramsbury, Hungerford, Denford, Kintbury and Newbury.
Also the River Og, the River Aldbourne, the Froxfield Stream, the River Dun and the River Shalbourne.
A flood alert is also in place on the River Pang, from East Ilsley to Pangbourne, including Compton, Hampstead Norreys, Frilsham, Bucklebury, Stanford Dingley, Bradfield and Tidmarsh and the Sulham Brook, from Theale to Pangbourne, including Sulham.
A further flood alert is in place on the River Thames and its tributaries, from Days Lock, to above Pangbourne.
No property flooding is expected.
According to the EA, strong winds predicted today (Thursday) are likely to worsen surface water flooding, due to leaves and debris blocking drains, with up to 50mm of rain on already saturated ground likely to lead to river flooding.
West Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Swindon and Wokingham are currently at low risk of flooding today (Thursday) and also tomorrow (Friday) according to the EA.
Flooding is also affecting train services, with lines blocked between Swindon and Bristol Parkway, due to flooding.
According to First Great Western, train services running through these stations may be cancelled, delayed by up to 90 minutes or diverted between Bristol Parkway and Swindon at short notice.
Affected today (Thursday) are the 10.28am and 12.03pm Taunton to London Paddington services, with an additional service at 11.26am from Taunton due to flooding and the 12.03pm from Taunton expected to be delayed in Reading due to flooding.
In Woolton Hill, tankers have been sent by Thames Water, the authority has confirmed, to The National Trust owned property, The Chase, and are on standby to prevent any further sewage spills at the beauty spot, due to heavy rain.
The National Trust confirmed this morning (Thursday) there were currently no sewage spills at The Chase, after reports of tankers seen at the site.
The Chase was closed for two weeks in September following a sewage leak at the site, the third in recent years, the worst of which was in July 2006 and which killed thousands of fish.
For further information about train services visit www.journeycheck.com/firstgreatwestern/.
For more information about flood alerts and preparing for flooding, visit the Environment Agency’s website environment-agency.gov.uk, or telephone the 24-hour Floodline 0845 988 1185.