Travel chaos as landslide blocks railway line and several areas underwater

15 July 2023 , 09:25

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Parts of Wales have been hit by travel chaos this morning (Image: Traffic Wales)

Parts of Wales have been hit by travel chaos this morning after flooding submerged some of the motorway and a landslip blocked a railway line.

Two accidents are causing delays on the M4, with Traffic Wales urging motorists to "pass with care" and one lane of the M4 eastbound closed off.

A 30mph speed limit is also in place at junction 43 Llandarcy following heavy downpours.

Meanwhile, on the railways, Transport for Wales has warned that all lines are blocked "due to a landslip" between Merthyr Vale and Abercynon.

Disruption is expected until the end of the day, added the railway operator.

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The second accident on the M4 took place near Swansea (Traffic Wales)

Passengers have been urged to check their journey is still running before travelling.

Transport for Wales said: "Heavy rain is forecasted this weekend that may lead to some disruption. Train services may be disrupted, resulting in longer journey times.

"We strongly advise passengers to check their journey before travelling."

The disruption comes as the Met Office issues yellow thunderstorm warnings across the UK.

Spectators with umbrellas shelter from the rain on day twelve of the 2023 Wimbledon Championships (PA)

It said tomorrow is expected to be less windy, but rain and showers will continue for the north of the UK with a risk of thunder, while further south will see a mix of sunny spells and showers.

There will be a mix of sunny spells and showers - some of which could be heavy with a risk of thunder - for most parts at the start of the week.

The unsettled theme looks set to continue through next week, although with more in the way of dry weather.

People during a rain shower at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) at RAF Fairford yesterday (PA)

BBC weather forecaster Louise Lear said the "unseasonably windy" conditions, with gusts of 50-55mph along the South Coast, was due to low pressure over the UK.

She said: "There'll be plenty of sharp showers, some of them heavy, some of them quite thundery as well and temperatures a little bit subdued for July.

"There will be some brighter, quieter interludes but those temperatures are really struggling, 16-20C at the very best."

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The forecasts for strong wind have seen summer events across the country cancelled or postponed today, while tennis fans without the shelter of a roof at Wimbledon are braced for thundery showers at 1pm on Ladies Singles final day.

Cathy Owen