Wales weather: Roads and land flood, trains hit and schools close

Heavy rain has flooded roads and low-lying land in parts of Wales, and train services have also been hit, with lines between north and south Wales via Hereford and Shropshire closed.

North Wales Police warned drivers that numerous roads in the eastern part of the area have been affected.

Meanwhile, three schools in Powys closed for the afternoon because of the weather.

There are 16 flood warnings, and 27 alerts have also been issued by Natural Resources Wales across Wales for Wednesday.

National Rail warned passengers of disruption across the Transport for Wales network on Wednesday.

It said: “Your journey will take significantly longer than normal.

“Please check your entire journey is still possible before setting off today.”

Transport for Wales also said multiple lines are flooded, including “major disruption” in mid and north east Wales, as well as delays in south Wales near Cardiff.

TfW added that flooding has led to the lines between Shrewsbury and Chester being blocked, with “a very limited” replacement bus service running.

Lines between Wrexham Central and Bidston, Merseyside, are also cancelled due to flooding, with disruption expected until 23:00 on Wednesday, while there are also cancellations between Hereford and Shrewsbury, TfW said.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said it received numerous reports of flooding in the Flintshire and Wrexham areas and warned people to keep away from fast flowing watercourses.

Powys council said it had to close the B4393 Llanfechain to Llanfyllin road due to flooding.

“As far as we are aware, the main roads are currently passable but there is a lot of standing water so drivers should proceed with caution of they are to drive in the current conditions,” it said.

There were eight flood alerts and 13 serious flood warnings across rivers in Powys, it added.

“The worst of the flooding is thus far in the north of the county but all areas are at an elevated state of risk.

“With even more rain forecast tonight, conditions could still get a lot worse, so please be cautious,” it said.