Flooding also caused the closure of the M1 near Leeds last night.
West Yorkshire Police said the motorway was shut in both directions between junctions 42 and 47 after flash flooding made driving too dangerous.
A man kayaks through flood water in West Sussex /SteveReigate
The carriageway later reopened at 1.40am today.
"Traffic disruption was minimal due to the time it happened," a spokesman said.
The Environment Agency said there was a 'continued risk' of surface water flooding from overwhelmed drains across parts of London, East and West Sussex, Surrey and Kent following rainfall of up to 50 millimetres in some areas overnight.
The agency said there are 35 flood alerts across England and Wales, with one flood warning for the River Mole at Charlwood and Hookwood in south east England amid forecasts of further heavy rainfall today.
Forecaster Gemma Plumb said up to 25 millimetres of rain could fall in parts of the Midlands, East Anglia, central southern and south eastern England today with the rain starting to ease off tonight.
She said: "There will be light rain through central southern parts of England, the Midlands and eastern parts of England tomorrow with some heavy showers across the rest of the UK.
A woman wades through water on the A33 near Bassingstoke
"On Wednesday there will be further showers, the heaviest of which will be across Wales and south west England."
The forecast of further rain comes after parts of Sussex were drenched by between 40 and 48 millimetres of rain overnight, with up to 25 millimetres of rain in parts of London.
The Environment Agency warned people to remain vigilant and check its website and Twitter feed for the latest situation.
The agency added that the public was "strongly" advised to stay away from swollen rivers and not to drive through floodwater.
Gwyn Jones, of North Wales Fire and Rescue Service who had been forced to evacuate a number of people said that a member of the public had called about his concerns over a reservoir on his land.
Cars splash through remaining flood water on the A63 outside Leeds
The decision to evacuate residents was based on the volume of water involved and the heightened risk from rain and debris coming down and making it an unstable structure.
He said: "Over the course of the day, we've been able to undertake two releases of water from the reservoir. We were closely monitoring the level of the river, and everything was satisfactory after those two releases.
"Subsequently, contractors and the landowner have created a permanent channel in the reservoir which is allowing the water to dissipate naturally and at a steady rate.
"Based on that information and a survey from specialist pump operators on the scene, we were able to give the advice through North Wales Police that residents were able to return to their homes."
He said they had been dealing with about six million gallons of water.
The A33 at Chineham in Basingstoke, Hampshire, could be closed for up to 24 hours after flooding.
Police advised motorists to use alternative routes to access the area.
Source: www.express.co.uk
Sussex Cricket League round-up - littlehamptongazette.co.uk
THE top three clubs in the Sussex Premier League all won their games on Saturday and current Champions Hastings still head the table with Roffey and Preston Nomads in hot pursuit.
Hastings lost two early wickets at Eastbourne, but Kirk Wernars and skipper George Campbell put together a century stand to put their side in a commanding position.
Wernars made 61 and Campbell 49 to help towards at total of 257 for 9 declared as veteran former England paceman Ed Giddins took 5 for 68, Stuart Pulford chipped in with 3 for 68.
Eastbourne struggled throughout before tumbling to 87 all out and they remain bottom after six matches.
Mick Glazier send the tail packing with 4 for 8 and Wernars set things tumbling with 2 for 29.
Roffey were put in at Bexhill and declared at 203/8 with 43 from Josh Fleming and 40 from skipper Mick Norris.
Jamie Wicks took 3 for 57 and Calum Guest 2 for 53 for the home side.
Bexhill were them dismissed for 173 despite 87 from Aussie import Andrew Harriott.
For Roffey, Andy McGorian took 4 for 42 as did Luke Barnard to give their side a fourth win of the season.
Preston Nomads made short work of dismissing East Grinstead for just 64 as Carl Simon took 4 for 16 and Matt Hobden 4 for 27.
In reply, Nomads won the game by six wickets at 67 for 4 with 24 not out from skipper Jeremy Green. For the home side Lewis Hatchett took 3 for 25.
Worthing enjoyed their first win of the season following their promotion last year.
They dismissed Brighton and Hove for 140 with Chris Grammer making a top score of 30 as Benn Challen took 4 for 39 and Mason Crane 4 for 35.
Michael Gould then hit 61 as Worthing cruised to 117 for 2.
At Chichester, the home side were dismissed for 140 after being put in by Horsham.
Adam Zampa was top scorer, he made 45 as Hisam-ul-Haq took 3 for 57 and Sam Cushing 3 for 36.
Horsham tumbled to 106 all out despite 45 from skipper Craig Gallagher with Matt Geffen taking 3 for 23 and James Stedman mopping up the innings with 4 for 5.
Three Bridges, relegated from the Premier League last season, have won four games in succession to lead the Division 2 table by 32 points ahead of St.James’s.
James Chadburn hit 116 to lead Three Bridges to 212 for 6 declared at home to Cuckfield. He was well supported by Bradley Gayler who hit 36 as Ebrel Erwee took 4 for 45.
In reply, Cuckfield tumbled to 120 all out despite 24 from Tom Mole and 22 fro Kritoan Piolet. Adrian Chappell took 3 for 32.
St.James enjoyed a 76 run victory at home to Ifield after declaring at 259 for 6 with 108 from Mike Edmonds and 55 from Henry Sims. For the visitors Raza Ali took 3 for 76 against his old club.
Ifield were then dismissed for 183 with Jack Groves hitting 69 and Ali 45, Edmonds took 3 for 34 and Chris Davies 3 for 45.
Glynde enjoyed a 189-run win at home to Goring after rattling up 289 for 6 declared of which Joe Adams hit 92 and Chris Stanyard 67, the two shared an opening stand of 163.
Matt Keen took 3 for 79 for the visitors who were dismissed for 146 of which Ellis Woolley made 37, as George Hobden took 4 for 24 and Adam Davies 3 for 28.
The game at Sidley was drawn after the home side, put in by Haywards Heath, made 240 for 3 declared with 71 not out from Jon Haffenden and 62 from Sam Steel.
Haywards Heath had reached 182 for 8 at stumps with 43 from Sussex Academy prospect Ollie Graham, Ian May took 3 for 31.
It was also a draw at Pulborough where the home side declared at 219 for 8 with Rohit Jagota making 98 and Amit Suman 62, James Iago took 3 for 49.
In reply, Findon struggled to 165 for 9 of which Dan Bridson made 45, Kuldeep Rawat took 5 for 67 and Suman 3 for 35.
Middleton are the new leaders in the Division 3 West after an emphatic seven-wicket win at Steyning.
Steyning elected to bat and made 186-6 led by captain Ed Lamb with 70 and David Kennett adding 51.
Ben Hansford was out agonisingly close to a ton making 99 as they won with ease.
The previous week’s leaders Bognor Regis dropped to second as Billingshurst’s Dhanushka Mitipolaarachchi enjoyed a remarkable game to send them home with a 96-run defeat. Billingshurst’s 223 included 88 from Mitipolaarachchi while Sam Taylor returned creditable figures of 4-36. Mitipolaarachchi then took 5-27 as Billingshurst moved up to third position just ten points behind the leaders.
Sean Heather made an unbeaten century for the second win running as Stirlands won by eight wickets against Arundel.
Richard James struck 76 in Arundel’s innings of 198-9. Eight of the wickets fell to Struan Cameron who took 8-59. Heather’s 103 not out along with 66 not out from Will Gubbins took Stirlands into fourth spot.
Pagham overcame Wisborough Green to claim their first win of the season and lift themselves off the foot of the table. In a low scoring contest they passed Green’s 138 with 3 wickets in hand.
Littlehampton replaced them at the bottom after losing by four wickets at Slinfold. Their 156 owed much to 51 from Mike Askew but were pegged back by Harrison Webb taking 4-45. Hayden McIntyre hit 52 to take Slinfold to their second win in succession.
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Sussex Central football player killed at graduation party in Surry - WVEC
SURRY COUNTY-- A Sussex Central High school student was killed just after graduation.
Tyquan Johnson was set to begin college on a football scholarship at N.C. Wesleyan College. He died after being shot at a graduation party being given for another student.
"His was the only friend I hugged on graduation day. I didn't know I was saying goodbye," parent Wanda Russell said.
A day after graduation, Johnson was at a party at home on Alliance Road. A fight broke out, and the Surry County sheriff's office says Johnson was one of three people shot. Johnson died from his injuries.
Deputies are still searching for the alleged shooter.
Johnson's mother is still dealing with the pain. "I want people to look at his life, and let's come together."
Johnson was a quarterback at Sussex Central and had a bright future ahead of him. He was heading to North Carolina Wesleyan on a football scholarship.
His friends have created a Facebook Memorial page for Tyquan to remember his life.
Source: www.wvec.com
Euro 2012: London fire safety posters translated - BBC News
Foreign language posters have been produced to target the problem of people causing kitchen fires while drunk during the Euro 2012 tournament.
London Fire Brigade (LFB) said it hoped to prevent the city's different nationalities leaving cooking unattended after drinking.
The posters come in seven foreign languages including Polish and Russian.
It is the first time translations have been used for an international competition, said LFB.
'Diverse city'The fire brigade's research shows drunk Londoners cause two fires a day.
It also shows a quarter of those who die in fires have alcohol in their systems and over half of alcohol-related fires happen because someone has fallen asleep.
Posters featuring the slogan "Goal" above a burger, will appear in pub lavatories across central London.
The posters have been produced in French, Polish, Ukrainian, German, Russian, Portuguese and Spanish.
They have been sent to different nationality newspapers in London, said LFB.
A spokesman for LFB said that the idea to translate posters was prompted by the BBC's story on London being considered France's sixth biggest city in terms of population.
He said: "London is a diverse city. It's not just England fans at risk.
"There was no extra cost and it will get the message out."
London Fire Brigade's commissioner, Ron Dobson, said: "During Euro 2012, many Londoners will go straight from work to the pub to watch the football.
"Our research shows cooking after having one too many plays a massive part in house fires and, sadly, one in every four fire deaths involves alcohol."
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
London Olympics 2012: get set for the gridlock games - Daily Telegraph
Yet even if there are no non-Olympic tourists at all (unlikely), and even if double the usual number of natives stay away from the office (less unlikely), almost half a million people will still need to converge on a small area of east London, including 300,000 spectators, 120,000 staff and volunteers, and 70,000 members of the “Games family” (competitors, sponsors, officials and media).
At peak capacity, the seven railway lines serving Stratford can handle 240,000 passengers an hour. That would be fine if Games demand was spread evenly through the day, and nobody else in London needed to use those services. But the demands of broadcasters mean that events in the most popular disciplines, such as athletics and swimming, tend to be scheduled in two blocks, one from roughly 10am to 1pm and the other from about 7pm to 10pm. So there will be sharp spikes in demand – and most people going to or from the Olympic Park will have to make at least one of their journeys in rush hour, just as the rest of the city is travelling, too. This is probably the moment to mention that the Underground has only had three entirely problem-free weekdays in the last year.
Even if it all works perfectly, the busiest stations will be swamped. At London Bridge, charts on the Games website show that you will have to queue for more than 30 minutes to board a Tube train during the morning and evening peaks, and up to 15 minutes even at 10.30pm. On the worst day, August 9, there will be six hours in total of half-hour-plus delays.
And don’t even think about driving: according to the TfL website, a journey from, say, Hammersmith (west) to St Paul’s (east) will take an extra 57 minutes. Some of the busiest roads in central London will be totally closed to normal traffic, including Whitehall, Constitution Hill and Birdcage Walk. Westminster Bridge will be one-way. The Mall, incredibly, will be off limits to everyone – including pedestrians and cyclists – for almost four months, starting this month and not reopening until the last day of September. It seems a high price to pay for beach volleyball.
Then there are the famous “Zil lanes” – 30 miles of Tarmac for the “Olympic family”, halving the capacity of key routes such as the Victoria Embankment, Knightsbridge and the Cromwell Road, and cutting Park Lane, the Westway and Euston and Marylebone Roads by a third. The Blackwall Tunnel southern approach, one of the busiest roads in London, will be partly shut throughout the morning rush hour, even though the only Olympic users will be a few hundred shooters and riders travelling from Stratford to Woolwich and Greenwich – and even they will be going the other way at the time.
Disruption is also happening far away from the Olympic sites: Russell Square, for instance, is being taken over as the media transport hub. Wanstead Flats has been commandeered as a police camp. A huge area of south-western suburbia will be closed over three days for the cycling. Thirty per cent of London’s road network will be affected in some way, often with restrictions that will stop you parking outside your own home or your customers parking outside your shop. Some firms nearest the Olympic Park are so worried about the effects on their recession-shrunk balance sheets that they believe the Games will put them out of business.
In the end, how these transport problems and restrictions go down will probably depend on how we feel about the Games themselves. The travel difficulties during the Jubilee went almost ignored: people put up with them because they loved the event and they love the Queen. The Olympics, so far, have often presented a much less likeable face: it seems improbable that a million people will line the streets to cheer the chief executives of McDonald’s and Coca-Cola as they sweep past in their Zil lanes.
Olympic organisers protest that sponsors who support the Games must be cherished. But that doesn’t seem to apply to the biggest sponsors of all: the taxpayers of Britain. Even the transport system itself is feasting from the buffet at our expense. Those striking busmen, demanding £750 extra for the favour of turning up to work during the Games, are just the latest in a line of greedy Tube, rail and Docklands Light Railway staff collecting bribes simply for doing their jobs.
The usual history of the Olympics is that the worries beforehand die down as people get caught up in the excitement. If Britain is winning lots of golds, if the sun is shining and there are things to go to for those without tickets, Londoners probably will decide to roll with the punches and take extra holiday. So the real key figures in how the capital is seen to manage may not be the hapless, fluorescent-jacketed transport officials, but Rebecca Adlington, Chris Hoy and all Britain’s other medal hopes. No pressure then, guys.
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
London to be no-go zone for drivers during Olympic Games - The Guardian
Motorists will be warned to avoid central London and areas around all Olympic venues from mid-July onwards, with transport chiefs predicting large scale congestion in the fortnight before the opening ceremony as a deluge of athletes, officials and media arrive.
The crowds that have turned out around the country to greet the Olympic torch have increased the concerns of Olympic transport chiefs about the scale of the challenge in the runup to the Games.
Drivers will also be told to avoid the area around the 109-mile Olympic Route Network (ORN), making large areas of London an effective no-go area for six weeks from mid-July.
Since London won the right to host the Games in 2005 its crowded transport infrastructure has been an issue for organisers and critics.
Independent traffic management experts have warned of the danger of a perfect storm of problems around the opening weekend, but the London mayor, Boris Johnson, points to £6.5bn of investment in the transport system and has linked the unfounded "paranoia" to that surrounding the millennium bug in 1999.
A series of specific changes to the road system in and around London are being unveiledon Tuesday, including the reopening of the much criticised M4 bus lane as a Games lane from the weekend of 14 July.
"In a normal July you'd see traffic levels drifting off slightly as you ease into summer and things get easier on the roads, said Garrett Emmerson, chief operating officer, surface transport at Transport for London.
"This July is going to feel more like the runup to Christmas.
"Traffic is going to get heavier as more and more Games activity takes place. We've got to change London's network to cope with that."
When 20,000 members of the media beginning to arrive in the second week of July, traffic flow in the busy Kingsway tunnel will be reversed to "assist movements" at the media hotel hub in Bloomsbury and a series of signal changes will be made.
"It's very clear that London is going to be very crowded," said Emmerson. "That is going to start from the beginning of the week before the Games."
From 21 July, when the Olympic torch is due to arrive in the capital, the Olympic Route Network – including 30 miles of dedicated lanes – will be introduced, simplifying junctions, removing pedestrian crossings, banning right hand turns and removing parking bays. The full network will come into effect on 25 July, when the torch enters central London.
Recent serious problems with the Jubilee and Central underground lines and complaints about overcrowding during the jubilee weekend have renewed concern over transport during the Games.
Transport for London officials insisted the extended bank holiday was encouraging and proved that motorists would heed messages to stay out of central London, with traffic down 40%.
"People now get there is something coming down the tracks and they need to prepare for it," said Emmerson. "We now need to move into what they need to do about it and when."
He said TfL's Get Ahead of the Games website had had over a million hits.
Emmerson said TfL was "now very confident" about major employers and businesses that needed to change their delivery plans. "We now need to move them into operational phase."
According to TfL's predictions, there will be around 1 million extra people in London over the course of the Games making 3m extra trips.
But the effect will be mitigated by a reduction in the number of non-ticket holding tourists visiting London. The biggest concerns are over "hotspots" on particular days.
TfL has warned that rail and tube users face delays of more than half an hour at key stations, with London Bridge among the worst affected.
London 2012 organisers and local authorities will start to introduce parking restrictions in mid-July. The handful of tow trucks that usually operate in the capital will swell to about 70 at Games time to remove cars that block the ORN and restricted parking zones.
TfL plans to employ 3,000 back office staff on the street in magenta tabards to provide travel advice. Each will be given an iPad to allow them to deliver up to the minute advice.
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
London 2012: Zara Phillips Picked To Represent Great Britain At Olympics - huffingtonpost.co.uk
Zara Phillips has been picked to represent Great Britain at this summer's Olympic Games in London.
The Queen's granddaughter described her selection to the eventing team as "awesome".
Phillips, the 2006 world champion, is following in the footsteps of her parents, who both rode in the Olympic Games for the country.
Her mother, the Princess Royal, competed at the 1976 Montreal Games, while her father Captain Mark Phillips was a team gold medallist at Munich in 1972 and then won silver in Seoul 16 years later.
Phillips, who is married to former England rugby captain Mike Tindall, said: "It's awesome to be given this opportunity.
"I am really excited and can't wait to kick on and get him there. Hopefully, we will make it this time."
The eventing star will ride High Kingdom at Greenwich Park next month. Her hopes of an Olympic place in 2004 and 2008 were dashed by injuries to her world title-winning horse Toytown.
She added: "High Kingdom is a pretty cool, very relaxed kind of guy.
"I was really happy with him at Bramham as he had obviously grown up and is improving all the time.
"He's pretty pony-like, a nippy little jumper and easy to manoeuvre, so hopefully it will suit him well in Greenwich.
"High Kingdom is owned by Trevor Hemmings, who has been one of my earliest supporters. He has owned a lot of my horses and has been so supportive, I couldn't do it without him."
Phillips been chosen alongside William Fox-Pitt, Mary King, Piggy French and Tina Cook for London 2012.
She clinched her spot with a third-placed finish in yesterday's Bramham International CIC three-star class after posting a personal best dressage score, and then jumping clear in the showjumping and cross-country phases.
Source: www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
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