Firefighters have urged people to avoid flooded areas and stop ignoring road closure signs after crews were scrambled to seven stuck vehicles last week. 

Several roads were closed last week as Storm Bert brough flooding to areas along the River Thames and Kennet. 

Flooding in Sonning closed parts of the B478, along Sonning Bridge, on Friday - but dozens of cars ignored the signs and drove through the flood waters.

Speaking to The Reading Chronicle, residents said they feared that the vehicles were running the risk of becoming stuck. 

The Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service has revealed that it had to rescue seven people in stuck vehicles during the floods around Reading last week. 

On Sunday November 24, firefighters were called to people trapped in Hangar Road in Sulhamstead, Deans Copse Road in Theale, and Station Road in Woolhampton - which saw two cars stuck in rising flood waters. 

The next day, crews were called back to Station Road, where a rescue boat was required to reach a person sitting on the roof of their trapped car. 

Firefighters were further required in Shalford Hill near Aldermaston and Church Lane in Grazeley - where a driver and their dog needed rescuing from their car. 

 

 

Now Royal Berkshire Fire And Rescue Service is pleading with drivers to heed their safety advice, with further flooding possible this winter.

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A spokesperson from the fire service said: "While there is a heightened risk of flooding, here is some key safety advice from Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

"Do not drive through flood water. Just 30cm of water is enough to make your car float. If you come across a flooded road, turn around and find another route.

"Do not move or ignore road closures signs – they are there for your safety, so please do not ignore them.

"Give yourself more time to react while driving – reduced visibility and wet roads will increase your stopping distance in the event of an accident.

"In wet weather, the stopping distance will be at least double."