Commuters faced disruption on rail tracks today because of flooding.

The Environment Agency has dropped a number of warnings for more flooding expected today in the Saltaire, Baildon, Esholt and Apperley Bridge areas but alerts are still in place for Glusburn Beck and Silsden Beck.

Rail travel was severely disrupted this morning with no Northern Rail service between Leeds and Shipley. Rising floodwater from the River Aire at Kirkstall has shut the line for safety reasons. No direct trains are expected to run from Bradford Foster Square to Leeds and disruption is expected until at least 3pm.

Passengers are being told to make alternative travel arrangements wherever possible as there are no replacement bus services.   

Where travel is essential, customers are being advised to travel via Bradford Forster Square and walk across to Bradford Interchange to complete journeys towards Leeds and beyond. 

A Northern Rail spokesman said: "We are very sorry for the inconvenience caused to travel plans due to the significant flooding on this very busy route. 

"We are working with Network Rail to understand how soon we can restore our services."

The A659 Pool Road Pool, which was closed due to flooding, is now open again and traffic is easing.

Parts of Ilkley, Otley, Denholme, Bradford and Bingley were among the worst affected after the weekend's persistent heavy rain fall.

The floods have been caused by a combination of rivers bursting banks in some places and water running off hillsides.

Pasture Lane in Clayton was also closed due to flood waters.

The A629 was closed at Denholme Gate by the junction with Long Causeway yesterday where a car was left submerged in the water which was several feet deep.  

Some roads in Ilkley and Otley were also closed due to flooding, including the A65 Ilkley Road, the A660 at Burley-in-Wharfedale and the A659 Pool Road in Otley.

Prince Henry's Grammar School in Otley will be closed today, and as a result of flooding on roads in the surrounding area. The closure decision was made following advice by Leeds City Council.

Adam Lazenby, 22, of Denholme, said he had to turn back when he encountered the flood water on the A629 at Denholme Gate as he travelled to Halifax at about 11am yesterday.

He said: “It’s all just collecting on that corner, it must be about three feet deep and the water has covered the whole road. It is closed both ways. There is a car floating in the water.

“You couldn’t get through at all, I was on my way to Halifax. There are a lot of cars having to turn back, it is a busy road.”

A fire crew from Illingworth station was sent to the scene to pump the water away. 

The heavy rain also affected bus services. The Transdev 697 bus service was only running between Keighley and Cullingworth because of the flooding at Denholme Gate and the First X84 service to Ilkley was terminating at Burley-in-Wharfedale due to burst river banks.

Flooding has occurred in the Denton Road, Ilkley, and police were sent to assist residents.

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: “Our Incident Response teams are on 24-hour duty. We will continue to monitor the situation."

Flood water could be seen cascading down other streets in the town, including Wells Walk, yesterday.

The riverside at Otley was also under water which spread to houses in Farnley Lane and submerged the playpark.

The spokesman added: "We would ask the public to remain vigilant and look out for further information from us as we continue to monitor the situation."