PICTURES: Flooding causes South Devon traffic chaos

FLOODING caused traffic chaos across Torbay and South Devon yesterday morning.

Heavy rain in the early hours of the morning left roads flooded in many places.

Devon and Cornwall Police were reporting no major incidents but a steady stream of calls reporting problems.

CLICK FOR PICTURES FROM THIS MORNING'S FLOODING IN DAWLISH AND STARCROSS

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Flooding in Rathmore Road and Avenue Road in Torquay caused long delays, and traffic between Plymouth and Totnes was disrupted by flooding at Avonwick.

Bitton Park Road at Teignmouth was closed in both directions at the Reed Vale junction because of flooding.

The A383 between Newton Abbot and Ashburton was closed in both directions while there were problems in both directions at the A38/A380 split at Kennford.

The A380 was flooded in the Ideford Dip and the road through Clennon Valley at Paignton was also flooded.

A landslip closed the B3192 Higher Exeter Road in Teignmouth and the B3193 at Finlake near Chudleigh was blocked at the B3344 junction.

Five Lanes Road at Marldon was blocked both ways at Preston Down Road.

South Street in Torquay was closed in both directions at East Street because of a serious accident.

Drivers were reporting serious flooding in the Stoke Gabriel area.

Firefighters were called to numerous incidents of flooding from 2.30am onwards.

By 6.30am they were managing 30 incidents at locations including Starcross, Shaldon, Stokeinteignhead, Dawlish, Modbury and Teignmouth.

A spokesman said: "Since the rainfall began early this morning Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service have attended 51 incidents due to flooding with 38 incidents still on-going.

"In total we have received 311 calls for assistance since the first flooding incident which took place at 2.12am, as well as 18 rescues from vehicles caught in floodwater, one involving two people who were attempting to rescue cattle.

"At the moment 12 live rescues from vehicles caught in flood water are taking place. We are also assisting the ambulance service with a person who is a diabetic and is caught in flood water.

"In total at this moment in time there are 110 live incidents happening throughout Devon and Somerset.

"There are 42 pumping appliances at present committed, with one appliance from Avon Fire and Rescue Service and three appliances from Dorset Fire and Rescue Service in assistance.

"Two Specialist Rescue teams are also committed to incidents."

Owing to flooding trains through the West Country were having to run at reduced speed on all lines.

Due to flooding between Plymouth to Totnes, Exeter St Davids to Taunton and Taunton to Westbury, First Great Western Train services were subject to delays of up to an hour.