News
Weather Latest - 25/09/2012
Dated: 25 Sep 2012
Police are issuing advice in relation to heavy rain that has hit the region.
The force area has seen heavy showers and this caused localised flooding in some areas and problems for some local rivers. Officers are advising the public to monitor local media and agency websites for up to date news and information as the situation is changing all of the time.
Updates will be added to this page below:
22:20pm update
This is an update in relation to problems to roads caused by the floods -
The A189 between Annitsford and Sandy Lane is now full re-opened in both directions.
21:40pm update
Police continue to maintain a visible presence into the night in communities affected by floods across the Northumbria force area.
For motorists who are still on the roads tonight they are advised to drive with care as there is still a lot of standing water on the region's roads overnight.
There are still several road closures in place across the region, these are:
- The A690, at the Reg Vardy garage westbound
- Millvale at Newburn Road
- The A6085 Newburn Road north of the junction with Town Hill Gardens at Newburn Village.
- Walbottle Road at its junction with Newburn Road
- The A189 southbound, Annitsford to Sandy Lane
- The B1426 Kingsway at its junction with Festival Park Drive up to Ascott Crescent in Bensham, Teams, both north and south bound.
- The B6344 Weldon Bridge Road into Rothbury will remain closed overnight and will be reviewed tomorrow morning. Other access to Rothbury is open.
- The A1 northbound at Tritlington in Northumberland
Diversions are in place.
In Morpeth emergency services, along with the council and other support agencies have been in the town all day and the local high school is being used as a rest centre for those who have been evacuated.
In Newburn in Newcastle, Newburn Leisure Centre will remain open all night for residents affected. The cordon at Spencer Court will remain in place overnight and there is security present at the site.
Local officers will remain in both areas to provide reassurance for residents.
Northumbria Police Superintendent Derek Scott said: "Officers remain out in the communities affected by flooding and will be there into the night. Our priority throughout the day - together with our partners - has very much been about public safety and this remains the case during the night.
"We are monitoring the situation in conjunction with partners. For anyone who is still out on the roads the message remains the same, they should take their time and drive carefully as there is still a lot of standing water on the roads.
"Officers continue to monitor the situation on the region's roads and there will be updates for the public early in the morning."
21:00pm update
A statement from Northumberland Estates regarding Spencer Court and Mill Vale, Newburn.
7:45pm update
The A1 northbound at Tritlington in Northumberland is being closed again due to water running onto the road. Traffic is being diverted onto the A697.
6:45pm update
This is an update in relation to problems to roads caused by the floods - As of 6:45pm the Telford Bridge in Morpeth is open.
6:30pm update
Motorists travelling on the A69 are being urged to slow down and drive sensibly. Although the road is fully open there is still a large amount of standing water and drivers are reported to be travelling too fast. Motorists are being asked to slow down and adapt their driving to the conditions.
5:30pm update
For the latest information on flooding, road closures and school closures in South Tyneside, visit www.southtyneside.info
5:00pm update
The road closures around the Findus Roundabout on the A189 have been lifted although care is still needed.
There is standing traffic on the A19 northbound due to the A690 sliproad being closed.
Drivers are urged to take extra care at this location and when driving throughout the area.
Current road closures still in place are:
1. A690 westbound, outside of Reg Vardy, closed.
2. Mill Lane, Newburn, completely closed
3. A6085 Newburn Road, north of the Town Hill Gardens junction. Newburn Village also closed.
4. Walbottle Road junction, Newburn Road closed.
5. Askew Road and Derwent Roads closed in Gateshead.
4:00pm update
The A1 northbound at Tritlington in Northumberland has now re-opened.
3.15pm update
The main route into Rothbury from the east (Weldon Bridge / Cragside) is closed at Armstrong Cottages due to flooding.
Diversions have been put in place via Scotsgap, Whittingham and Elsdon.
The road is expected to be closed for a number of hours.
3.00pm update
A number of roads are reopening following the severe weather in the region.
The A1 northbound at Swarland is re-open, as is the A1058 coast road on Tyneside in both directions and Whorral Bank in Morpeth.
Northumbria Police is asking for the public’s continued co-operation as agencies work to deal with the severe weather. Many roads are still affected.
Police are still urging drivers, where possible, to try and stagger their journeys home if at work as rush hour may be even busier than usual.
Metros are running to all destinations and the same applies to local bus services. Trains are running normally between Sunderland and Newcastle. Newcastle Airport is running as normal.
In Spencer Court, Newburn, a 50m cordon remains in place after local residents were evacuated after concerns around stability of the building.
Police are working with other emergency services and partners to ensure people are safe. Newburn First School being used as a rest centre.
Closures in area are Walbottle Road at junction of quarry and factories, Mill Vale and Manor Grove and Millfield Lane.
King Edward VI School in Morpeth is being used as a rest centre for those affected by flooding in the town.
3pm road closure latest:
A189 Findus roundabout, West Moor, in all directions
A1 Tritlington - North bound
A68 Kiln Pit Hill
A690 westbound, outside of Reg Vardy, closed.
Mill Lane, Newburn, completely closed
A6085 Newburn Road, north of the Town Hill Gardens junction. Newburn Village also closed.
Walbottle Road junction, Newburn Road closed.
Surface water at Testos roundabout - Road not closed but council at scene with gully suckers
Askew Road and Derwent Roads closed in Gateshead.
1:30pm update
Police are urging motorists at Testo's roundabout to drive with care. We have received reports of people driving too fast and aquaplaning on roads around the roundabout. There is still a lot of standing water in the area and drivers need to drive accordingly to the conditions. You can get more information on our Road Safety pages
1:00pm update
Northumbria Police is asking for the public’s continued co-operation as agencies work to deal with the severe weather.
Chief Inspector Sarah Pitt said: “We'd ask that drivers continue to drive with great care in the current conditions and allow extra time for their journeys.
“There have been a number of collisions on the roads due to people driving too fast, aquaplaning and not driving according to conditions.
“Where possible drivers should also try and stagger their journeys home if at work as rush hour may be even busier than usual.
“People have been very supportive so far and we’d ask again against travel unless necessary.”
With regards to public transport Metros are running to all destinations but there are some delays, the same applies to local bus services. Trains are running normally between Sunderland and Newcastle. Newcastle Airport is running as normal.
In Spencer Court, Newburn –a 50m cordon remains in place after local residents were evacuated after concerns around stability of the building.
Police are working with other emergency services and partners to ensure people are safe. Newburn First School being used as a rest centre.
Closures in area are Walbottle Road at junction of quarry and factories, Mill Vale and Manor Grove and Millfield Lane.
A number of minor roads across the force area are affected - the situation is constantly changing.
10:30am update
The situation around the weather conditions and traffic issues continue to change.
The river in Morpeth broke its banks and the town centre area is flooding. We have extra officers in the area to help residents. Anyone who is affected is asked to go to the town hall where a rest centre has been set up.
Around 90 residents from the Dawson Place area of Morpeth have been evacuated as a precaution - police are working with the local authority and they are being taken to the Town Hall and King Edward High School - which are being used as temporary rest centres.
Around 30 to 40 residents from the Spencer Court, Hareside Court, Hareside Walk and Mill Vale areas of Newburn have also been evacuated. They have been taken to Newburn First school.
The road in Mill Lane, Newburn, has collapsed and an area is cordened off.
On the A690 westbound, outside of Reg Vardy, just off the A19 - the road has collapsed and is likely to remain closed for some time.
The force continues to work with local authorities across the force and partner agencies and monitoring local rivers and areas at risk.
Supt Dave Byrne said: "We are continuing to get a lot of calls - we will respond to all of them - only use the 999 service in an emergency situation and please be patient, we have a lot of officers out on the ground helping keep people safe."
Metro and rail services are still running – with delays and a slower service.
Other road closures are:
A number of minor roads across the force area are affected - the situation is constantly changing.
Update from North East Ambulance Service:
Weather hits Patient Transport Service
Dialysis, oncology and neurology appointments unaffected
Due to the heavy rain in the North East, our Patient Transport Service sadly won't be able to collect all non-urgent outpatients for their appointments today.
However, all dialysis, oncology and neurology pick-ups will go ahead as scheduled.
We're sorry for any disruption this may cause.
9.35am update
Northumbria Police continues to ask people to take extreme care due to the severe weather conditions in the region.
Advice is still not to travel on the roads unless necessary and anyone stuck in flooding in their car is asked to try and stay with their vehicle where possible.
Chief Inspector Sarah Pitt said: "This remains a rapidly changing situation and we continue to work with local authorities across the force and partner agencies and monitoring local rivers and areas at risk.
"The force is receiving a lot of calls - we will respond to all of them - only use the 999 service in an emergency situation and please be patient, we have a lot of officers out on the ground helping keep people safe."
Residents from the Dawson Place area of Morpeth have been evacuated as a precaution - police are working with the local authority and they are being taken to the Town Hall and King Edward High School - which are being used as temparory rest centres.
Residents from the Spencer Court, Hareside Court, Hareside Walk and Mill Vale areas of Newburn have also been evacuated. They have been taken to Newburn First school.
Estimates are around 90 people evacuated in the Morpeth area and 30 from Newburn.
Roads now open are:A19 Northbound - Between the A1231 and Testo roundabout
A19 Northbound between Testos and the Boldon slip
8:00am Update
Northumbria Police is urging people to take extreme care due to the severe weather conditions in the region.
Latest advice is not to travel on the roads unless necessary - there has been a number of collisions on the roads due to people driving too fast, aquaplaning and not driving according to conditions.
Anyone stuck in flooding in their car is asked to try and stay with their vehicle where possible.
Chief Inspector Sarah Pitt said: "We are getting a number of calls about road closures and localised flooding - the situation is changing all the time.
"We are working with local authorities across the force and partner agencies and monitoring local rivers and areas at risk.
"The force is receiving a lot of calls - we will respond to all of them - only use the 999 service in an emergency situation and please be patient, we have a lot of officers out on the ground helping keep people safe."
Residents in the Dawson Place area of Morpeth are being evacuated as a precaution - police are working with the local authority and they are being taken to the Town Hall and King Edward High School - which are being used as temparory rest centres.
Residents from the Spencer Court, Hareside Court, Hareside Walk and Mill Vale areas of Newburn have also been evacuated. They are being taken to Newburn First school.
Local rail and Metro networks are still running - slower services than normal but they are running.
6:30am update
Police are issuing advice in relation after heavy rain has hit the region.
The force area has seen heavy showers yesterday and overnight and this caused localised flooding in some areas and problems for some local rivers.
Officers are advising the public to monitor local media and agency websites for up to date news and information as the situation is changing all of the time.
We are receiving lots of information about roads affected by rain and flooding and motorists are being advised to take care on roads, drive safely and watch out for standing water.
Officers are out across the region helping motorists and local residents in some of the most affected areas.
Northumbria Police Chief Inspector Sarah Pitt said: "Acting on the information from our partners we are getting extra officers out to the areas that are most affected to offer reassurance and support for local people.
"We continue to advise residents that might experience flooding to get advice from the relevant agencies and to be as prepared as possible.
"Anyone caught out by the rain and on the roads should stay calm and avoid any flooded roads and areas where possible.
"Allow extra time for any journeys and drive according to the conditions where you are. Reduce speed, keep your distances and make sure you are visible to other road users by having your lights and fog lights on. Be alert for heavy accumulations of water and slow down going through them."
Roads affected as of 6:30am - this is changing constantly and we are receiving updates all the time
A number of minor roads are also affected. Diversions have been put in place where possible.
We have extra officers out on patrol in these areas and other areas where problems are expected.
We are working in partnership with local authorities across the whole of the Northumbria area to try and clear roads and ensure the road network stays open as much as possible.
Anyone choosing to drive in the weather is advised to take extra care and avoid the areas where surface water is an issue.
The latest update we have from Nexus as of 6:30am is that the Metros are still running but at a slower speed than usual.