Disruption continues after heavy rainfall overnight including delays on the M23 by Gatwick Airport

Several motorists were trapped on the A27 near Chichester on Wednesday night (16 November). Credit: Luke Potter

Flooding is causing chaos on road and rail networks after heavy rain affected large parts of south coast.

The M23 was closed in both directions between Junction 10 for Crawley and Junction 11 for Pease Pottage, both in West Sussex, due to standing water on the carriageway in the early hours of Thursday morning (17 November).

The road was reopened after several hours but some lanes remained closed. In Petersfield, the A3 northbound has lane closures due to flood water.

The A27 was closed in both directions between Emsworth and Chichester following heavy rain which left up to 20 cars stuck in flood water, according to West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.

The road was closed in both directions for some time while emergency services worked to remove those trapped.


  • Luke Potter captured cars becoming stuck on the A27 on Wednesday night (16 November).


West Sussex Fire and Rescue says people should avoid all unnecessary travel in the coming hours due to several flooding incidents in the county.

West Sussex is one of the worst affected areas, with incidents reported in several areas.

There have been similar incidents reported in Haywards Heath, where flash flooding temporarily closed roads and caused water to come up through drains.

Flash flooding has also been reported in parts of Hampshire and Dorset.

Some rail lines were affected, with disruption between Tonbridge and Hasting caused by flooding in a tunnel at Wadhurst in East Sussex.

National Rail said it had rectified a fault in the tunnel involving a blown fuse and a melted piece of signalling equipment.

Flooding between Lewes and Brighton stations also caused disruption to Southern services on Thursday morning.

On the Isle of Wight, flooding caused the cancellation of trains on the Island Line until 9am.

Police in Winchester, Hampshire, advised of a large tree coming down and blocking a road in Swanmore.