Carlisle flooding causes major travel disruption

Flooding has caused major travel disruption in parts of Cumbria with several warnings in place, after Carlisle experienced the UK’s worst rainfall.

The West Coast Main Line between Carlisle and Lockerbie was blocked on Thursday morning.

Northern said services between Carlisle and Barrow-in-Furness were unable to run, while TransPennine Express warned people not to travel between Preston and Carlisle after flooding on the line.

River levels in the village of Stockdalewath went above those seen during 2015’s Storm Desmond, the Environment Agency said, adding it was the “first time” an emergency alert was issued in the county which needed cabinet office approval.

Cumbria Police said a number of properties there had been affected, with one home evacuated.

Pete Miles, from the Environment Agency, told BBC Radio Cumbria the severe flood warning at Stockdalewath has since been lifted.

“Because that went up to the severe level very quickly and [it] actually led us to issuing an emergency alert approved by the cabinet office, which I believe is the first time we’ve used that in Cumbria, Lancashire,” he said.

It comes as Carlisle experienced the UK’s worst of the rainfall, with 65.6mm (2.5 in) falling over the previous 24 hours, the Met Office said.

Flood warnings for the Rivers Eden and Caldew in Carlisle are also in place.

A special group involving emergency services and local authorities was set up overnight to respond to localised flooding.

Swifts Bank car park and Castle car park in Carlisle have been closed, with people advised to use Caldew Riverside, Viaduct or West Walls car parks instead.

Ch Supt Mick Bird, from Cumbria Police, warned drivers on Thursday to “take care”.

“If you do come across a flooded road, please do not attempt to travel through as you cannot be sure of the water’s depth,” he added.

TransPennine Express commercial director Darren Higgins said due to flooding on the railway line north of Carlisle, train services were “significantly disrupted.”

Passengers have been warned not to travel between Manchester, Liverpool and Preston to Carlisle, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

“Anyone planning on travelling by train today can choose to defer their travel or claim a refund,” he added.