Carlisle flooding causes major travel disruption

Flooding has caused major travel disruption with several warnings in place, after Carlisle recorded the UK’s heaviest rainfall.

The West Coast Main Line was blocked between the city and Lockerbie on Thursday morning, while Northern said services to Barrow-in-Furness were unable to run.

Carlisle recorded 65.6mm (2.5in) of rain over the previous 24 hours, according to the Met Office.

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.

The force added it was not aware of anyone missing as a result of the flooding and the situation was improving.

The average rainfall for May in Carlisle is about 55mm (2.1in), the Met Office confirmed.

Karl Melville, assistant director for highways at Cumberland Council, said the amount of rain had taken him by surprise.

More than 90 calls were made to the council’s highways department over a 12-hour period.

“We’ve closed down our winter service, foolishly thinking we were done with bad weather,” Mr Melville said.

“We certainly didn’t expect what we got throughout the night.”

Pete Miles, from the Environment Agency, told BBC Radio Cumbria the severe flood warning at Stockdalewath had been lifted, after river levels fell.

“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.

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.

Police confirmed on Thursday afternoon the multi-agency group had been stood down, but work continued to respond to any issues.

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 warned people not to travel between Preston and Carlisle after flooding on the line.

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.