Rail Disruption and Flood Warnings Issued Across Berkshire After Storm Bert

Following Storm Bert, a flood warning and multiple alerts have been issued across Berkshire, advising rail passengers to verify their travel plans prior to departure. The flood warning specifically targets properties adjacent to the River Kennet within the Burghfield, Southcote, Coley, and Holybrook vicinities, close to Reading. Additionally, a minimum of nine flood alerts are active throughout the county. Great Western Railway (GWR) reported on Monday morning that over 16 instances of flooding across its operational network had led to significant train delays within Berkshire. GWR subsequently announced that railway lines were obstructed between Newbury Racecourse and Plymouth, advising individuals intending to travel between these locations against attempting to do so. Furthermore, GWR stated that a restricted service was operating to and from the racecourse via alternative routes. Dan Panes, GWR’s head of communications, indicated that branch lines, such as the route to Henley, were operational. However, he noted that complications beyond the Thames Valley region were complicating further travel. He explained, “If you’re trying to get to somewhere on [branch] lines that makes sense,but if you’re trying to use those lines to, for example, get into London or further west say than Swindon, we’re just not going to be able to get you there at the moment.” Panes added, “We can run trains until that flood-water gets above the height of a rail, because at that point you’ve got the risk of the ballast that holds the track in place washing away.” He concluded, “Colleagues at Network Rail are doing their best [to] make it safe for trains to run again, but it is problematic now.” Nationally, over 150 flood warnings are currently active throughout the UK. Hannah Cloke, a professor of hydrology at the University of Reading, commented that Berkshire was not “in such a serious position” compared to certain other regions of the UK. She stated, “But there is a lot of water around, we do have a few properties underwater, low-lying land underwater, and that will continue at least today.” Cloke further advised that people should maintain vigilance and monitor Environment Agency flood warnings later in the week, as additional rainfall is anticipated. She remarked, “There’s no space for that rainfall,” and added, “That could lead to further flooding.” The car park and beer garden of a Burghfield Bridge pub experienced flooding early on Monday following the River Kennet overflowing its banks in the vicinity. Harrison May, the pub’s assistant manager, commented, “I locked up last night and everything was fine but I had a feeling that something like this was going to happen pretty soon.” He continued, “First thing this morning I got a text to say we were flooded but we are pretty fortunate that we are slightly raised so we can stay open even in situations like this because it does happen from time to time.”