THE river Severn in Worcester is set to peak on Boxing Day.

Flood warnings are currently in place on the river after the county was battered by heavy rainfall.

According to the Environment Agency, the Severn measured at 5.12 metres on the Worcester gauge at 1pm and is expected to peak at between 5.25 and 5.35 metres on Boxing Day.

Downstream at Diglis, the river level stood at 4.65 metres and steady as of 1.30pm. River levels are expected to rise due to today's rainfall.

The river Avon at Evesham has peaked and last measured a level of 2.92 metres and steady.

Roads in Worcester including Hood Street, Quay Street, Pitchcroft Lane, Waterworks Road, Newport Street, Croft Road and Diglis Dock Road could be at risk of flooding. The city's Hylton Road remains closed.

The River Severn has reached its highest level in Worcester since January 2008 and with the Met Office forcasting possible rain until the end of the week it could rise further still.

Flood defences in Upton-upon-Severn continue to work well and specialist contractors are operating the pumps at the £1.7 million defences in Kempsey, near Worcester, to avoid a repeat of the failure which flooded 15 properties last month.

 


• Click here for the latest traffic and travel news.