A3 and M25 closure: Northbound Wisley junction flooded and drivers warned to look for alternative route to London

The sliproad which leads to the northbound A3 from Junction 10 of the M25 - the Wisley roundabout - is shut as it is underwater.

The junction is one of the main routes towards London from the south of England and sees thousands of cars an hour pass through it.

National Highways says it is working to clear the water but this is “expected to take some time” and that drivers should “consider alternative routes into London this morning”.

The junction is currently in the middle of a long-term upgrade which has seen bridges replaced and new gantries but in during the year. These have seen several all-weekend closures enacted.

An amber weather warning for heavy rain has come into force in parts of England, with the Met Office warning that affected areas could experience more than a month’s worth of rain falling on Monday. Thunder, lightning and hail marked the official end to summer over the weekend, with the autumn equinox on Sunday afternoon signalling the start of the new season.

Rain warnings have been in place all weekend with a fresh yellow alert having come into effect at midnight to last all of Monday, covering parts of Wales, much of the south of England, the Midlands and into north-west England and Yorkshire.

An amber warning came into force at 5am and will last until 9pm, sweeping over Worcester, Birmingham, Nottingham and Hull. Some affected areas could see 100 to 120mm of rain on Monday and forecasters warned there may be more warnings in the week ahead.

Met Office meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey said: “First thing on Monday morning then we see an amber weather warning come into force. It stretches between Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and up towards the Wash and the Humber.

“This area in particular, during Monday, we could see over a month’s worth of rain falling, and with the rain we’ve already seen over the last couple of days this certainly has the potential to bring some disruption and flooding in locations and here it is very important we do take care over the course of the day. There is a broader yellow rain warning that encompasses much other areas of England and Wales as well.”

Even before the warnings came into effect, Bedfordshire Police said: “We are aware of the multiple issues the weather is causing across the county tonight. Please only call us if there is an immediate threat to life or crime in progress.

“All emergency services and council teams are working as quickly as possible to help those affected but our priority will be the vulnerable. Please stay clear of flooded roads and affected areas.”

As of 5am, 13 flood warnings – meaning flooding is expected – were issued for England by the Environment Agency. Areas affected by the flood warnings include Atherstone in Warwickshire, Leighton Buzzard and Luton in Bedfordshire and parts of London including Wimbledon and South Ruislip.