THERE was traffic chaos across Worcester after heavy rain caused flash flooding and a burst water main.

The morning commute saw long delays as roads filled up with water including the A449 near Claines roundabout, at Crowle and on the A4133 between Hadley and Ombsersley.

Part of Borrowdale Drive and Langdale Drive has been closed since the early hours of this morning (Thursday) after a water main burst caused a risk to road users.

Worcestershire was hit with flash flooding across the county which led to school closures, a disruption in services, crashes and a burst water main in the city alone.

Flood warnings are in place at Barbourne Brook, the river Salwarpe at Droitwich, the river Severn in Worcestershire and at Kempsey.

Worcester News: Map showing the severity of the traffic in Worcester this morning.Map showing the severity of the traffic in Worcester this morning. (Image: AA)Many commuters were calling the traffic across the city "horrific".

One commuter, stuck in heavy traffic in Warndon, said: "Delays stretched back to Warndon villages.  

"I haven’t moved in 15 mins."

The burst water main, which closed Langdale Drive in Warndon, has caused part of the road to bulge with a small fountain of water shooting from the ground.

A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: "The road is closed because of a sinkhole that is a risk to road users.

Worcester News: ROAD CLOSED: The burst water main on Borrowdale Drive and Langdale Drive.ROAD CLOSED: The burst water main on Borrowdale Drive and Langdale Drive. (Image: NQ)"We received a call about it around 6am this morning (February 22)."

Heavy delays were also seen on the A4440 on Crookbarrow Way after a crash, and bus services were delayed on Monarch Drive after the road was closed due to a two-car crash. 

A West Mercia Police spokesperson said: "We received a call around 9.15am this morning (February 22) with a report of a collision at the turning onto Monarch Drive off Marley Road in Worcester.

"Officers attended the incident to find two vehicles involved.

"No injuries to report, just damage to both vehicles."

Severe weather across the county also led to Himbleton CE First School near Droitwich and Eckington CE First School in Pershore closing their doors. 

A band of rain is forecast to move east across England on today before clearing in eastern England by the early evening.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for rain covering the West Midlands until 6pm, with 30-40mm rainfall expected.

Met Office chief meteorologist Paul Gundersen said on Wednesday: “This is falling on saturated ground, which elevates the chances of flooding and disruption.”

Weather for Worcester this weekend

The Met Office said Friday would be another day of sunny spells and showers with a continued chance of some heavy and wintry outbreaks.

Winds will generally ease and temperatures around average. Maximum temperature is expected to be 9C.

From Saturday to Monday, the Met Office predicts Worcester's weather will stay rather unsettled with some bright intervals and scattered heavy showers, these possible wintry over the hills.

It will feel cold overnight with frosts possible and breezy at times.