Travel warnings in the West Midlands as Storm Franklin hits

People in the West Midlands are being told to only travel if they have to today, as the the third named storm within a week hits the UK.

Storm Franklin isn't meant to be as strong as Storm Dudley and Storm Eunice, but there'll still be high winds and big concerns about flooding.

West Midlands Railway is urging passengers to check before they travel. Jonny Wiseman, WMR customer experience director, said: “The high winds forecast in Storm Franklin risk bringing further disruption to the rail network I urge all passengers travelling on Monday to check their journeys before setting out.

"As we have seen in the last 72 hours, stormy conditions can cause significant damage to railway infrastructure which is why we are advising our passengers to plan their journeys carefully.

"Tickets for travel on Monday will be accepted on Tuesday if passengers choose not to travel."

After Storm Eunice and subsequent heavy rainfall, the effects of Storm Franklin will continue to cause severe disruption across areas like Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire, leaving many roads impassable and homes and businesses flooded.

Flood barriers are up in the following areas;

Shrewsbury

Frankwell

Coleham Head

Bewdley

Beales Corner

Severnside North

Severnside South

Worcestershire

Upton – both gates have been closed

Kempsey – pumps are operational

Powick – pumps have been deployed to site

Hereford

Barrier has been deployed (Sunday)

Ironbridge

Barriers have been deployed – water is currently against the barriers.

Shropshire Council says its highways teams are working around the clock to close roads and car parks and make sure people who need them have sandbags to protect their homes and businesses.

Flood warnings

A total of 11 Flood Warnings and 12 Flood Alerts have been issued by the Environment Agency over the last few hours, instructing those living near the watercourses to take action or be prepared for flooding.

A Flood Warning was issued earlier on Sunday for the River Severn at Bridgnorth, Quatford, Hampton Loade and Highley.

Locals are being told that sandbags can be picked up at any time at the front of Shropshire council’s depot at Stanley lane, Bridgnorth, WV16 4SF.

With river levels rising, Shropshire council is currently closing a number of roads and getting ready to close others, including:

Berwick Road, Old Coleham and Victoria Avenue.

Longden Coleham (closed from 9pm on Sunday).

Coleham Head (will close at 7am (Monday) to allow the Environment Agency to deploy the flood barriers at Coleham Head).

The council is urging people to only and travel if they need to and not to, under any circumstances, enter flood water.