#Pictures of heavy rain full
The firm said it had more sewer overflows and sewers that combined rain and sewage, leading to higher figures.Ī United Utilities spokesman said: “During storm conditions, when sewers and treatment plants are operating at full capacity, we are permitted to spill excess storm water from combined sewer overflows to help prevent the flooding of streets, homes and businesses.” Spills are only supposed to take place following extremely wet weather as rainwater overwhelms the system. United Utilities spilled untreated sewage for 726,450 hours last year, higher than any other water company. Sewage discharges were expected to rise in Cumbria as the local water company continued dumping waste after spilling the most in the country last year.
There were also warnings that floods would cause sewage discharges to rise in the north-west of England.ĭata from campaign group Surfers Against Sewage showed overflows in 14 sites along the coast this week as floods hit Cumbria. The timetable will not return to normal until Monday, Avanti confirmed, and said that the disruption could last even longer "depending on the flooding".
#Pictures of heavy rain drivers
Train services from the north to London have been cancelled as rail firms redirected staff to Carlisle to combat the flooding problems.Īvanti West Coast suspended its normal services and did not run a train this morning from Blackpool to London Euston "to enable us to free up drivers and train managers to work to Carlisle". Rail staff diverted to Carlisle amid flooding chaos People in the most at-risk areas in Hawick were warned to prepare to flee at short notice overnight amid fears that hundreds of properties could be under threat. The Scottish Borders Council said: "The evacuation of residents has now ceased and members of the public are being advised that they are safe to return to their homes." Two road bridges spanning the River Annan, had been washed away north of the railway with trains unable to pass over a viaduct, closing the Dumfries to Carlisle line until further notice, Network Rail Scotland said.Ī major incident was stood down in Hawick in the Scottish Borders, with home evacuations halted and residents allowed to return home after 500 properties were feared to be at risk. Network Rail Scotland said that with extremely heavy rain forecast across Scotland on Friday, speed restrictions have been put in place, causing disruption on the West Coast Mainline between Glasgow and Carlisle. Residents in Hawick were forced to leave their homes as rising water levels caused the Teviot to burst its banks in parts of the Scottish Borders town. Two bridges have been washed away in Scotland after a major incident was declared to evacuate 500 properties from flooding.