Heavy rains bring landslides and travel chaos across UK

Lightning strikes the Tyne Bridge in Newcastle Credit: Twitter/@kennytoalitv

Heavy rain has brought traffic chaos to parts of the UK as flood waters closed railway lines and roads and caused some drivers to abandon their vehicles.

There were cancellations and major delays to trains running between Edinburgh and London, with East Coast and Virgin West Coast services bearing the brunt of the delays.

CrossCountry and First TransPennine Express services were also affected.

Passengers have spoken of enduring a 15-hour London to Scotland rail journey due to flooding and landslides.

A landslide near Berwick temporarily stopped services between Newcastle and Berwick after more than 40 tonnes of earth were deposited on the track. The route has now reopened.

Cars abandoned in Tyneside in Tyne and Wear Credit: Sam Pugh

Many roads were closed in Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Tyne and Wear, Cheshire and Cumbria.

The M56 in Cheshire was closed for a period due to a fallen tree. The A691 in Lancaster, County Durham and B601 in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear were also closed due to flooding.

Flooding in Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear Credit: PA

Northumbria Police reported a series of road closures in the Gateshead and Newcastle area, although the main routes are now open.

A statement from Northumbria Police said they were trying to reunite drivers with their abandoned vehicles:

Businesses clean up in Seaton Delaval, Northumberland Credit: Ellie Johnson

Northern Powergrid said around 3,000 customers were still without power across the North East - down from 23,000 on Thursday night.

The worst-hit areas include Alnwick, Consett, Whitley Bay, Prudhoe, Shiremoor and Stanhope.

Cars abandoned in Prudhoe, Northumberland Credit: Deborah Brooks

While transport continued to be disrupted, there was better news from forecasters who predicted that the worst of the storms were over.

The Met Office has said this month is likely to be one of the wettest Junes on record.

For those who have nowhere urgent to be, the rains have brought some fun too Credit: Joanne Grooms