Last updated 11:20, Tuesday, 13 January 2009

TORRENTIAL rain brought chaos to roads in South Cumbria this morning.
Several major routes had to be closed due to heavy flooding while police warned motorists to expect delays on others.
Extra traffic poured onto the roads as rail services between Lancaster and Carlisle were cancelled due to water on the line.
A temporary bus service was brought in to replace trains running between Oxenholme and Penrith to bypass the blockage near Shap.

Line operator Network Rail reported trains were due to begin operating from 10am.
Police officers reported speed restrictions on the M6 motorway between junctions 35 and 42 because of heavy surface water.
And the A591 - the arterial route through South Lakeland - was struck between Brettagh Holt and Plumgarths islands and at Bannerigg, between Kendal and Windermere.
The road was judged impassable at Thirlmere, north of Grasmere, and closed as a safety measure.
A spokesman for Cumbria Police said: “Any users are asked to use extreme caution when in the area and if at all possible avoid it all together.”
Drivers were warned to take precautions on the A592, between Windermere and Newby Bridge, with flooding in both directions causing delays and making driving hazardous.
And the A6, at Levens had to be closed after the River Kent burst its banks.
Meanwhile yesterday’s storm force winds left two walkers stranded near to the summit of Scafell Pike at around 5.17pm.
Members of Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team carried out a five-hour search operation - amid hurricane force wind speeds of up to 73mph - to locate the pair in the darkness.
Heavy rain made stream crossings treacherous but the operation was successful with 17 rescuers finally reaching the walkers shortly after 8pm. The missing walkers had a Global Positioning System but no map or torch.