A MAJOR section of the Great Western Railway running from Taunton has been forced to close due to flooding.

GWR announced at 8.02am this morning that the railway between Reading and Taunton is closed due to flooding caused by recent heavy rain.

The company warned commuters that disruption along the line is expected until the end of the day.

According to the Great Western Railway X account: "Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled, delayed, or diverted via Bristol Temple Meads."

As a result, this means there will be no service between Taunton and Castle Cary, two of the Somerset's most frequently used stations.

The news comes after a long list of flood warnings across the county issued by the Environment Agency - meaning flooding is expected to, or has occured.

These include:

  • A361 East Lyng to Burrowbridge;
  • Curry Moor and Hay Moor;
  • Nunney Brook;
  • River Axe (Upper) from Winsham to Axminster, including Chard Junction and Weycroft;
  • River Brue and Glastonbury Millstream from Lovington to Highbridge;
  • River Brue and Glastonbury Millstream from Lovington to Highbridge, low lying properties;
  • River Cale at Wincanton, riverside properties;
  • River Isle at Ilminster;
  • River Isle from Chard Reservoir to Hambridge not including Ilminster;
  • River Mells and Whatley Brook;
  • River Parrett (upper) from South Perrott to Thorney
  • River Sheppey;
  • River Yarty from Yarcombe to Axminster;
  • River Yeo and River Parrett Moors, low lying properties around Muchelney;
  • River Yeo from Sherborne to Yeovil;
  • Somerset Frome from Frome to Freshford;
  • Somerset Frome from Witham Friary to Frome;
  • Washford River, riverside properties from Kingsbridge to Lower Roadwater.