FLOODING after heavy rain caused long delays on roads across Worcestershire as residents braced themselves for new city flood defences to be put to the test.
Heavy rain caused levels to rise on both the River Severn and the River Teme, bringing widespread disruption and delays on the roads as the river burst its banks in Worcester.
Flood warnings were in force on long stretches of both rivers with levels including in south Worcester with levels reported to be still rising on Friday at the Diglis gauge.
Flooding was expected in Quay Street, South Quay, Diglis Avenue and Hood Street with properties also affected at Pitchcroft Lane, Waterworks Road, and Newport Street, Worcester.
Flood waters reached to the steps of Copenhagen Street car park and covered South Quay near Browns restaurant.
The predicted peak art Diglis was expected to be between 4.2m to 4.5m on Friday evening but with further rainfall forecast over the next 24 hours, river levels expected to remain high for 'several days', according to the Environment Agency.
Pumps have been installed at Hylton Road in St John's as the Severn rises. Warnings were also in place on the Severn at Pitchcroft, at Court Meadow, Kempsey and Callow End.
The Teme was particularly high with warnings at Bransford, Eardiston, Knightwick, Doddenham and Broadwas, Lower Wick in Worcester, Shelsley Walsh and Clifton Upon Teme, Stanford Bridge and Tenbury Wells and Burford.
Roads were closed across the county including at Bransford Court Lane and Mill Lane in Hanley Castle. Near Worcester, a lane closed on the A449 Malvern Road at Powick with flood water on the road which caused delays for drivers heading between Worcester and Malvern and congestion on Powick roundabout itself.
Meanwhile, the flood gate protecting Toronto Close in Lower Wick was closed on Thursday at around 2pm by resident Ray Grundy who campaigned for a decade for the defences to be built.
Although the water was not quite up to the gate near Old Road, he said the flood defences, which were officially opened last month, had given him 'peace of mind'.
"For the first time we have received flood warnings, nobody has moved their cars out of the street. That gives a good indication of how comfortable people are feeling," said the 74-year-old.
We have previously reported how the £2.5 million defences were unveiled to protect homes after a 10 year campaign led by Mr Grundy and supported by Worcester's then MP, Robin Walker and the Environment Agency.
Flood waters have also risen over the arches at partially collapsed Powick Old Bridge.
A site visit involving heritage experts from Worcester Civic Society and the Battle of Worcester Society was cancelled on Thursday because of rising levels on the Teme.
Marc Bayliss, cabinet member with responsibility for highways and transport, said the team had always been prepared for flooding while work was underway at the medieval bridge, closed since a partial collapse of the wing wall at the end of January.
Bags of ballast have been installed to create a dry working area ahead of repairs but it is unclear at this stage what effect the floods will have on them and on repairs.
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Cllr Bayliss said: "Nature is a powerful force and we will have to see. There is nothing that could have been done to hold back the water. I'm confident my team has factored in the potential for flooding."
He added that the bridge was being repaired 'as fast as is humanly possible' but that work had to take place in a safe environment.
Materials have already been recovered which it is hoped can be used to rebuild the bridge and said the work 'will be done'.
Lindridge St Lawrence's CE Primary School in Tenbury closed due to 'severe weather'. Buses were unable to get through due to flooding and internet and phone lines were down.
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