Flood warnings in place and bank holiday matches cancelled as yet more rain hits Cambridgeshire
Warnings for Girton, Oakington and Westwick, plus alerts in place for River Cam and River Granta
The Environment Agency has issued a series of flood warnings and alerts as Cambridgeshire was hit by more rain on Easter Monday.
Following heavy rain on Friday, and more over the Easter weekend, river levels were already high and many sport pitches are sodden, forcing the cancellation of some bank holiday matches.
The League Two match between Morecambe and Cambridge United has been postponed because of a waterlogged pitch at the Globe Arena.
The football matches between Histon and Saffron Walden and between Cambridge City and Kempston Rovers were postponed due to waterlogged pitches.
Huntingdon racecourse cancelled its meeting for the day and the cricket between Cambridge MCCU and Notts has also fallen foul to the weather.
Visitors to the National Trust’s Wimpole Estate had limited space to park as it was forced to close its overflow car parks. The estate urged visitors to wait until after 1pm on Monday for the best chance of a parking space on the hardstanding. The junior parkrun due to take place on the Sunday was cancelled.
Drivers and pedestrians across the coutnry were urged to take caution, with some roads flooded and unpassable, and standing water elsewhere.
Girton, Oakington and Westwick have been worst hit, but alerts were also issued for Bourn Brook, Cottenham Lode, the Lower River Cam, coverging Stapleford to Waterbeach, and the River Granta from Linton to Babraham.
The Environment Agency issued the following warnings and alerts for the Cambridge region.
Flood warnings
These mean flooding is expected and “immediate action is required” by those in the area. Two were put in place on Easter Monday morning:
Girton
The Environment Agency said at 8.01am: “This message has been issued due to the persistent, heavy rainfall currently affecting this area. This means that the Beck Brook is reacting to the rain and is expected to rise through this morning. The forecast is for continued light rain this morning. We are expecting river levels to be at their highest between 9am and 12pm. Locations most at risk are Woodlands Close, Dodford Lane, Fairway, Northfield and Girton Farm. The Environment Agency are closely monitoring the situation and will update this message as the situation changes. Flood water may be deep and fast flowing in these areas. Remain safe and be aware of your local surroundings. Think about what you need to do in response to this warning.”
Oakington and Westwick
The Environment Agency said at 7.45am: “This message has been issued due to the persistent, heavy rainfall currently affecting this area. This means that the Oakington Brook is reacting to the rain and is expected to rise through this morning. The forecast is for continued light rain this morning. We are expecting river levels to be at their highest between 09:00hrs and 12:00hrs on Monday 2nd April. Locations most at risk are Dry Drayton Road, The Broadway, Cambridge Road, Orchard Way, Longstanton Road, Mead View, The Drift, Lowbury Cresent, Water Lane, Kettles Close, Holme Close, Arcadia Gardens and Cherry Orchard in Oakington, and Station Road in Westwick. The Environment Agency are closely monitoring the situation and will update this message as the situation changes. Flood water may be deep and fast flowing in these areas. Think about what you need to do in response to this warning. Remain safe and be aware of your local surroundings.”
Flood alerts
These mean “flooding is possible - be prepared”.
Bourn Brook in Cambridgeshire
The Environment Agency said at 7.03am: “This message has been issued due to the persistent, heavy rainfall currently affecting the area. This means that the Bourn Brook is rising. The forecast is for further light rain this morning. We are expecting river levels to rise steadily in response to the rainfall. Locations most at risk are Bourn Brook from Toft to Comberton. The Environment Agency are monitoring river levels and have staff in the field checking for and clearing blockages. Take care on riverside roads and footpaths. Do not walk or drive through flood water. Take care near the areas of concern and monitor your local weather conditions.”
Cottenham Lode
The Environment Agency said at 7.13am: “This message has been issued due to the persistent, heavy rainfall currently affecting the area. This means that the Cottenham Lode is rising. The forecast is for further light rain this morning. We are expecting river levels to rise steadily in response to the rainfall. Locations most at risk are Cottenham Lode including Oakington Brook and Wash Pit Brook. The Environment Agency are monitoring river levels and have staff in the field checking for and clearing blockages. Do not walk or drive through flood water. Take care on riverside roads and footpaths. Take care near the areas of concern and monitor your local weather conditions.”
Lower River Cam in Cambridgeshire
The Environment Agency said at 9.34am: “This message has been issued due to the persistent, heavy rainfall currently affecting the area. This means that the River Cam is rising. The forecast is for further light rain this morning. We are expecting river levels to rise steadily in response to the rainfall. Locations most at risk are River Cam from Stapleford to Waterbeach. The Environment Agency are monitoring river levels and have staff in the field checking for and clearing blockages. Take care on riverside roads and footpaths. Do not walk or drive through flood water. Take care near the areas of concern and monitor your local weather conditions.”
River Granta in Essex and Cambridgeshire
The Environment Agency said at 9.30am: “This message has been issued due to the persistent, heavy rainfall currently affecting the area. This means that the River Granta is rising. The forecast is for further light rain this morning. We are expecting river levels to rise steadily in response to the rainfall. Locations most at risk are River Granta from Linton to Babraham. The Environment Agency are monitoring river levels and have staff in the field checking for and clearing blockages. Take care on riverside roads and footpaths. Do not walk or drive through flood water. Take care near the areas of concern and monitor your local weather conditions.”
River Rhee in Central Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire
The Environment Agency said at 9.18am: “This message has been issued due to the persistent, heavy rainfall currently affecting the area. This means that the River Rhee is rising. The forecast is for further light rain this morning. We are expecting river levels to rise steadily in response to the rainfall. Locations most at risk are River Rhee from Guilden Morden to Haslingfield. The Environment Agency are monitoring river levels and have staff in the field checking for and clearing blockages. Take care on riverside roads and footpaths. Do not walk or drive through flood water. Take care near the areas of concern and monitor your local weather conditions.”
