Flood warnings ahead of high tides and rain

Part of Newcastle Quayside outside the Hardrock Cafe flooded on Tuesday afternoon
The River Tyne overflowed along part of Newcastle's Quayside on Tuesday afternoon [BBC]

Parts of north-east England have been warned of further flooding, due to heavy rain and higher-than-normal sea levels.

The Environment Agency (EA) issued red and amber alerts on Tuesday for parts of Tyneside, Wearside and Northumberland.

Part of the River Tyne burst its banks along Newcastle Quayside despite flood barriers in place, with a clean-up operation under way.

The heavy rain also caused flooding on the rail line between Berwick-upon-Tweed and Newcastle, resulting in "major disruption" for passengers.

Flooding on the Spine Road in Northumberland
The Spine Road in Northumberland was affected by flooding [Stevie Wilson]

LNER said lines had reopened on Tuesday evening, but warned of cancellations and delays of up to two hours, with disruption expected until the end of the day.

Flooding also shut down part of the Spine Road in Northumberland, cutting off the route between the Three Horseshoes roundabout and the turn-off for Asda in Blyth.

The road reopened on Tuesday evening and Northumberland County Council said it would investigate what caused the flooding.

The EA said high tides were expected for the next three days and could result in more warnings.

Amber warnings, which mean flooding is possible, are in place at Seaburn Lower Promenade, Hendon Promenade and Roker Seafront for Wednesday between 16:00 and 20:00 BST.

Blue flood barriers alongside the quayside with man in yellow jackets checking
Flood barriers were first put up along Newcastle's Quayside on Monday [BBC]

In Newcastle, flood barriers stretching more than 180m (623ft) have been put up along the Quayside.

However, a flood warning for the Tyne estuary, which also includes Low Walker and Lower Derwenthaugh Industrial Estate, was removed just before 18:30 BST.

"We do not expect to see similar impacts for tomorrow’s high tides," the EA said.

"However, we will continue to monitor the forecast closely and may issue further alerts and warnings if necessary."

Flood warnings for parts of Alnmouth, Tynemouth and Cullercoats have also been removed.

Flooding of the river Aln near Alnmouth on Tuesday
Flooding of the River Aln, near Alnmouth, on Tuesday [BBC]

People living or working in areas covered by red flood warnings have been told to start acting on their flood plans.

The flood warnings also urged people to stay away from beaches, promenades and coastal footpaths, due to danger from waves and sea spray.

A photo of a farmer in the rain in front of a barn
Mark Mather, who farms near Wooler, Northumberland, says the floods mean he has already lost a dozen lambs [Mark Mather]

Mark Mather, who farms 400 acres near Wooler, Northumberland, has already lost 12 lambs due to the flooding.

"Farmers are going through an absolute horror story," he said.

"The burns and streams overflow and the lambs get cut off from their mothers and they are so small, only two weeks old, and they can't survive.

"We've been trying to get the sheep and lambs back inside but we're running out of space and feed."

Follow BBC North East on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk.

More stories from BBC North East and Cumbria

Related internet links