HIGH winds and torrential rain are battering Oxfordshire this morning, with wind speeds of more than 50mph.

Flood warnings have been issued for the River Thame from Marsworth to Dorchester including Thame, Shabbington, Ickford, Waterperry, Wheatley, and Drayton St Leonard.

The Environment Agency has also warned of possible flooding on the River Ray from Shipton Lee to Islip, including Ludgershall, Blackthorn and Murcott, and on the Chalgrove Brook at Chalgrove and Stadhampton.

Flooding is causing major problems on the A417, with the road blocked in both directions throughout the morning between Silver Lane in West Challow and Ham Road in Wantage.

Roads in Blackbird Leys were disrupted last night due to fallen trees and Blackhorse Lane in Cothill, near Abingdon, is currently closed due to fallen power cables.

A fallen tree also halted early-morning trains on the Chiltern Line between Haddenham & Thame Parkway and Princes Risborough but it has been removed by Network Rail engineers and services are now running normally.

  • For more details of flood warnings, click on the link to the Environment Agency.