HIGH winds brought by Storm Franklin are causing havoc on roads and rail in Malvern and South Worcestershire.

ROADS

The B4211 Hanley Road, Upton, is closed due to flooding. Highways officers are placing barriers there.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and divert via Welland.

New Street in Upton is also closed due to flooding.

The A443 near Abberley School, towards Tenbury, is clsed because power cables have blown down.

Highways teams are on Lower Montpellier Road, Malvern, which has been blocked by a large tree.

A very large old tree has been blown down on the A449 near to the Wellington Inn, between Ledbury and Malvern Wells.  The road is completely blocked and drivers are urged to find alternative routes.

Stocks Lane between Leigh Sinton and Malvern is flooded just before the railway crossing on Malvern side.

With the water levels rising in the River Severn, Highways may have to close the B4211 Hanley Road in Upton-upon-Severn either tonight on tomorrow morning because of the flooding risk.

POWER CUTS

More than 80 properties in Upton-upon-Severn are without electricity after a power cut. The supply went off at 8pm and Western Power Distribution say it should be restored around 11.20pm. The affected postcodes are – WR8 0QP, WR8 0QU, WR8 0RJ, WR8 0QR, WR8 0QS, WR8 0QY, WR8 0QN, WR8 0QX, WR8 0QT, WR8 0QL, WR8 0RL

Around 20 homes are without electricity. The affected postcodes include  – WR13 6HR,  HR8 1EN,  WR13 6HP,  HR8 1EQ,  WR13 6DT,  WR14 1UP. Engineers are on the scene and it is anticipated the supply will be restored by 11pm.

RAIL

RAIL SERVICES between Worcester Shrub Hill and Great Malvern have been cancelled due to a fallen tree blocking the line.

All lines are blocked on that stretch after the incident caused by high winds.

Other West Midlands Railway services are running at a reduced speed because of a power line failure.

The operator said it anticipated Storm Franklin – due to arrive in England tonight – would affect services tomorrow.

It urged people to check the situation before setting off to make sure their train was running.

Other services face delay and cancellation.

The Met Office has a yellow warning in place for Storm Franklin which is now in place across much of England and runs until 1pm tomorrow morning.