Flooding Returns To South West

Two adults and a small child have been rescued from the roof of a 4x4 trapped in floodwater near Taunton.

Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue were called to New Road in North Curry last night. They brought in the Specialist Rescue Team from Bridgwater who used a boat to bring the family to dry land.

The cost of repairing the ancient bridge and surrounding pathways at Tarr Steps will run into thousands of pounds.

Somerset County Council and Exmoor National Park say the landmark on Exmoor has been affected by landslips, fallen trees and erosion from recent flooding.

The Met Office has said today that the country is getting wetter. Official figures show 2012 was the wettest year in England since records began, and the second wettest in the UK.

That will come as no surprise to many of us here in the South West, particularly those who are still recovering from the latest floods.

The Met Office says 2012 was the second wettest year across the UK in records dating back more than a century.

People in Braunton affected by the recent floods can have their say at a drop-in session today [Thursday].

Devon County Council and the Environment Agency have orgainised the event in the town's parish hall from midday until 7pm. On Friday the meeting moves to Bishop Tawton and will be held in the village hall from 3pm to 7pm.

One of Exmoor's most iconic landmarks has been swept away in the floods. The ancient clapper bridge, Tarr Steps, was demolished when fallen trees pushed up against the giant stones. 3/4 of the bridge has gone and will have to be rebuilt.

Mainline rail services between Exeter and Tiverton have started operating again today, bringing to an end a week of rail chaos for passengers.

The tracks at Cowley Bridge were engulfed by flood water in last weekend's downpour.

Tonight, First Great Western says some branch line services across Devon and Cornwall may not re-open for another week, as Jonathan Gibson reports:

Braunton was possibly the worst hit by flooding before Christmas. Today people in the North Devon town have put away the turkey and tinsel, rolled up their sleeves, and started the clear up. A new flood prevention scheme costing £1.2 m failed to hold back the water. John Andrews reports.

England has suffered its wettest year since records began in 1910. While slugs relished the wet summer, birds struggled and badgers found it difficult to find food in the dry spring.

Matthew Oates from the National Trust talks about how the bad weather has had a huge affect on the region's wildlife.

Network Rail says it's hoping to re-open the main line between Exeter and Tiverton tomorrow at noon, a week after heavy rain paralysed many rail services in and out of the region. But it's also warned commuters on other routes face more misery into the New Year. Jonathan Gibson reports.