[06 NOV 00] CRIMES, FIRES & ACCIDENTS
More Flood Warnings As Heavens Open Again

Rivers in Warwickshire were put on flood alert today as more heavy rain caused several stretches of water to swell and roads to close.

The worst affected area was north Warwickshire, where roads in Grendon, Atherstone and Coleshill were closed.

But there were problems across the county and in Coventry. The a45 near the Allesley by-pass was affected and Castle Road in Kenilworth was closed as the ford flooded.

Flood warnings were issued for the River Avon upstream of Warwick and Rugby, the River Leam between Marton and Leamington, and the River Stour between Shipston and Clifford Chambers.

More rain is being forecast for later in the week.

The Environment Agency has warned people in low-lying areas near the affected rivers that they should consider moving property upstairs in case the situation worsens.

Meanwhile bosses at Land Rover have given Warwickshire Ambulance Service  four vehicles to make sure that patients can get to urgent hospital appointments despite the floods.

Problems with blocked roads all over the West Midlands meant the patients in need of regular treatment such as kidney dialysis have been at risk of being stranded.

After the plea was made by the Warwickshire ambulance service, two Discoverys and two range Rovers were handed over at the Gaydon plant.

Ambulance service spokesman Brian Kelly said:

“During the adverse weather condition some of our ambulance vehicles have not been able to get to the homes of many patients because of the floods.

“Our colleagues at the Hereford and Worcester Ambulance depot rang us for help and we in turn rang Land Rover.

“In many cases the only way of reaching these patients is by Land Rover.”