CHESTER residents and businesses are being urged to brace themselves for further heavy rainfall today (Monday).

Persistent rain has already caused flooding to roads in Lache, Saltney, Broughton, Dodleston, Christleton, Handbridge and around Chester Business Park.

The Environment Agency has now issued a flood warning for Great Sutton. Areas at risk include some properties on Farmers Heath road, Spinney Drive, Ascot Drive and Chase Way, as well as some properties on Regal Close and Oliver Lane.

More than three inches of rain – 100mm – are expected to fall over the 24-hour deluge, and increased winds are expected to make driving conditions even more treacherous this evening.

Brio Leisure has closed local golf courses for the day, driving tests in the area have been cancelled and several roads have been hit with surface flooding.

The Environment Agency has mobilised teams to check on flood defences, clear any river blockages and closely monitor river levels.

Alison Baptiste, flood risk manager at the Environment Agency, said: “We are already seeing travel disruption due to the wet weather and could well see flooding across the country this week.

“We strongly urge people to sign up to flood warnings, keep a close eye on local weather forecasts and be prepared for the possibility of flooding.

“We also ask that people stay safe, by staying away swollen rivers and not attempting to drive through floodwater.

“The Environment Agency already has teams out on the ground checking on flood defences and clearing any blockages in order to reduce the risk of flooding as much as possible.”