Drivers urged not to ignore flood warnings after a vehicle gets stuck

The family in a small silver Renault were caught out when they tried to drive through floods on the B3107 Melksham to Bradford on Avon road at Challymead near the Farmers Roundabout.

The family were forced to abandon their vehicle after it was overwhelmed by the high water level and it was later rescued by firefighters from Corsham and Trowbridge and towed to safety.

A family were forced to abandon their vehicle on the B3107 at Challymeasd after it got stuck in the floods. Photo: Trevor Porter 70299-4 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Other drivers were witnessed ignoring flooding and road closed signs and carried on driving through.

The Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were called to Bradford Road, Melksham at 7.42am on Saturday (21 October) for a car stuck in floodwater.

“Two crews attended, from Corsham and Trowbridge, but the driver had got to safety before we arrived.

“Firefighters remained on scene until the stop at 9.16am as cars were still entering the water. Wiltshire Council did attend and put a full road closure in place.”

The DWFRS added: “We would urge drivers to always respect road closure signs for flood water, even if you think it isn’t that deep.

"Our full advice on what to do in the event of flooding can be found here www.dwfire.org.uk/flooding"

Flood warnings on the B3017 Melksham to Bradford on Avon road at Challymead. Photo: Trevor Porter 70299-5 (Image: Trevor Porter)

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Following the heavy rainfall at the back end of last week, flood warnings for five areas in Wiltshire have been removed by the Environment Agency as water levels subside.

But the agency says that flooding is still possible in the Mid Bristol area covering the Mid River Avon and tributaries including Melksham and Bradford on Avon.

Officials are urging people to monitor local water levels and weather conditions.

They added: “Avoid using low-lying footpaths or entering areas prone to flooding. Start acting on your flood plan if you have one.”

The flood waters cut off the Pack Horse Bridge at Barton Farm Country Park in Bradford on Avon. Photo: Trevor Porter 70299-1 (Image: Trevor Porter)

The five flood warnings removed are for the Upper Bristol area from Chippenham to Melksham, for the area from Chippenham to Malmesbury, Dauntsey Brook at Dauntsey, Old Sodom Lane and The Green areas, River Cole and Dorcan Brook, and the Upper Bristol area.