Motorway misery - heavy rain, spray and poor visibility made driving difficult on the MI. on Tuesday morning.	A lorry makes its way through floodwater on the Glenavy Road. Earlier five people had to be rescued after their cars were trapped in the floods. US3308-540CD

FIVE people had to be rescued on the Glenavy Road near Moira in the early hours of Tuesday morning after their cars became trapped in floods.

The five became stranded after heavy overnight rain resulted in widespread flooding and dangerous driving conditions across the country.

A Fire Service spokesperson said: We received a call about 4.51am that two cars were trapped in flooded waters. There were two people in one car and three people in another.

An appliance was sent from Lisburn and the crew were able to push the cars out of the water. The incident was finished about 5.30am."

Local motorists faced long delays as diversions were put in place when the Glenavy Road was closed to traffic, except for heavy goods vehicles, on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Diversions were set up on the Lisnabilla Road and Moira Road after the PSNI closed the Glenavy Road. Roads Service staff used pumps to clear the flood water.

A DRD Spokesperson said: "Flooding on the Glenavy Road has been caused by heavy rain and the PSNI closed the road with diversions in place. Drivers were kept informed by local radio stations of the closure."

A number of other roads were only passable with care. Areas of the Tonagh Estate were also flooded.

Roads had to be cleared by Roads Service jetters on Wednesday after flooding occurred.

A DRD spokesperson commented: "Roads Service dispatched a jetter to the Tonagh Estate to deal with parts of the road that is flooded due to the recent heavy rainfall."

Shoppers brave the horrid August weather in Lisburn during heavy rain on Tuesday. US3308-548cd	Heavy rain caused the Glenavy Road near Moira to close on Tuesday.

stacey.heaney@jpress.co.uk

Ulster Star
/2008