FEARS about flooding in Herefordshire have eased but people are being urged to stay vigilant and take care on the roads.

The River Wye peaked at 4.76 metres in Hereford shortly after 10am this morning, with water now moving downstream towards Mordiford and Ross-on-Wye.

The Environment Agency advised the water levels in these areas is beginning to rise but it is not expected to cause any significant flooding issues.

In Hereford city centre, one carriageway southbound on the Belmont A49/A465 roundabout has had to be coned off due to standing water, but traffic is able to move freely around this.

Elsewhere, the River Lugg is high but remains at a steady level and no further significant disruption is expected.

Emergency services and local authority representatives met at midday in Hereford to discuss the flooding situation and will continue to monitor any further developments.

They warn that while the situation is easing off today, further rainfall is expected in the coming days, both here and in Wales, which could lead to further flooding.

In particular they are keen for motorists to continue to drive cautiously and take heed of the difficult conditions, especially with standing water in places and the possibility of low temperatures leading to icy patches overnight.

Furthermore, with more bad weather to come, anyone considering making long journeys in the coming few days are being urged to consider making alternative arrangments as road conditions could deteriorate.

The public is also being warned to remain away from floodwater or riverbanks - on foot as well as in vehicles even as the weather improves today.

A Herefordshire Police spokesman said: "While flooded areas can seem exciting or interesting to onlookers - especially children - the reality is they can be very dangerous. It is virtually impossible to tell how deep floodwater is until you are in it and by then it could be too late. There is also no way of telling what hidden hazards could be in the water that could cause serious injury.

"Equally, there may be health risks associated with standing water as it could contain contaminants that could lead to illness, particularly among children.

"Swollen rivers are obviously very dangerous at this time, so stay away from riverbanks as they can be very slippery and you could easily fall in.

"We would urge the public to stay away from floodwater for their own safety."

Police are also repeating their drive safely' messages. Motorists who do have to travel in poor weather are being advised to remember the following key points:

  • Give more time for your journey and take extra care. Tell someone what time you expect to arrive at your destination.
  • Reduce your speed and be prepared to encounter standing water or icy road conditions.
  • Do not enter floodwater as there is no way of telling how deep it may be. This applies if you are on foot as well as in a vehicle - manhole covers may have been loosened or removed so there could be extremely dangerous hidden hazards in floodwater.
  • Remember that in wet weather stopping distances are at least double those required for stopping on dry roads.
  • Keep well back from the vehicle in front, so you have the time and distance to brake safely.
  • If steering becomes unresponsive it probably means the water is preventing the tyres from gripping the road, ease off the accelerator and slow down gradually.
  • Please respect road closure signs - they are there for your safety and mean the road is impassable.
  • Listen to the local radio for travel updates and plan ahead for your journey.
Click here for the Environment Agency's latest flood warnings for the Midlands.
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