Local News
Heavy Rain Leads To Disruption
Prolonged heavy rain across Redcar and Cleveland led to road closures and public transport disruption earlier today.
The Met Office had issued a yellow weather warning with about two inches of rain expected, which started overnight and lasted for much of Tuesday.
The hardest hit areas of Redcar and Cleveland were around Redcar East, South Bank, Grangetown and the Tees Dock areas. Standing water meant some roads in the area had to be closed for public safety around 7am, including the A66 near the Trunk Road, which led to morning gridlock on surrounding roads and miles of tailbacks on the A174 Parkway.
Borough Road at Redcar East flooded underneath the railway bridge, with motorists having to abandon their vehicles in deep flood water. Other flood closures included Bolckow Road and Church Lane in Grangetown, plus parts of the Low Grange Farm Tesco car park on the Trunk Road were cordoned off using trollies.
The Environment Agency had issued a Flood Alert for the Coastal Becks of Redcar And Cleveland, but this has since been cancelled. Levels on Saltburn Beck were reported as very high later in the day, with some minor flooding on the car park area by Saltburn Lane.
Cleveland Police praised drivers for their patience this morning. Superintendent Mark Thornton, who co-ordinated emergency services’ and other agencies’ response to the incident from Police Headquarters, said:
“Over recent years Cleveland Police, in conjunction with partners, has activated plans to deal with adverse weather. We, along with the Environment Agency, Cleveland Fire Brigade, the Ambulance Service and local authorities among others, work hard to ensure the public’s safety and to minimise disruption as far as possible. I know it is frustrating when what should be a short commute to work or journey to school ends up taking many times longer, however public safety is always our absolute priority.
In conjunction with our partner organisations, Cleveland Police is now looking ahead to the next 24 to 36 hours to assess any weather-related challenges. We will continue to work hard to minimise any risks to the public from flooding and we will update the media and the public of any developments.”
Another Weather Warning has been issued by the Met Office for persistent rain and possible thunderstorms to hit the area again on Wednesday afternoon and evening.
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