Lechlade pub threatened by flood waters ahead of rain

Pictures shared by pub landlord Gareth Chapman show that the River Thames has burst its banks with the rising waters threatening to encroach on the Riverside pub. 

A flood alert is currently in place for the River Thames and its small tributaries from Calcutt to Lechlade following heavy rainfall in the past few days. 

And the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for parts of the south west overnight and into Thursday morning, including parts of Wiltshire, forecasting further heavy rain. 

Read More: Met Office issues yellow weather warning for Wiltshire

Addressing the rising waters just metres away from his pub, Mr Chapman said: "It's from the rain at the beginning of the week. The river has been rising since Sunday.

"It looks like it's peaking today and tomorrow but the rain is due again tomorrow which could be an issue."

Water levels are on the rise in the River Thames by Lechlade (Image: Environment Agency)

Water levels at the River Thames level just downstream at St Johns Lock are normally around 0.25m, but as of Wednesday afternoon are almost triple this at 0.62m.

The highest levels recorded there are 0.95m in November 1995 and Mr Chapman is concerned that further rain could get the levels near that all-time high. 

He said: "If it rains heavily then definitely there are some concerns. There is not much room for the water to go elsewhere

"I've got just over a foot of wall before it goes into the garden."

In the flood alert it has issued for the River Thames in the Leclade area, the Environment Agency said: "Property flooding is not currently expected. River levels are rising slowly on the River Thames as a result of heavy rainfall.

"Therefore, flooding of low-lying land and roads is expected on November 15, especially in the Hannington Wick area.

"No further rainfall is expected today, but we expect rain on November 16 and further unsettled weather over the coming week. We expect river levels to remain high throughout the day.

"Avoid using low-lying footpaths near local watercourses."

A Met Office spokesperson said: “A spell of rain, heavy at times, will move east across southern parts of England and the south of Wales during Thursday.

“10-20 mm of rain falling widely with 30-40 mm possible near the south coast of England and over east-facing hills.

“Strong winds, gusting 50 mph near coasts, will accompany the rain, with a small chance of gusts reaching 60 mph for the Isles of Scilly and west of Cornwall.”