RESIDENTS in Backbarrow have been cut off as floodwater flows into back gardens and over the top of a 300-year-old bridge.

Eyewitnesses claim water in the River Leven has risen to cover a stone bridge next to the White Water Hotel - which is thought to be flooded on the ground floor.

Sue Sanderson, who lives on Water Close, said the village is completely cut off on one side with no access to Thinthwaite Road.

“It’s quite incredible, we’ve got a dry stone wall at our house and the river has come over that and flooded the garden.

“The river has gone onto the road up to the White Water Hotel and it is impassable.”

Mrs Sanderson said the lower part of the White Water Hotel - including the recently refurbished Fisherman’s Bar - has been completely flooded and there is flooding at the Swan Hotel at Newby Bridge.

“Water is flowing out of the hotel like a waterfall,” she said.

“I think people have been evacuated from there and from the time share cottages nearby.

“It’s just amazing. We didn’t think it would ever go up this high.”

Karen Gill, of the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway said the line is flooded in several places and will be closed to visitors this weekend.

She reported seeing water flowing freely over the top of the stone bridge as she walked by this morning.

Local resident Paul O’Brian, said the barrier walls at the top of the bridge have collapsed.

“I’ve lived here most of my life and I’ve never seen it like this. It’s higher than it’s ever been. It looks like the walls on top of the bridge have collapsed.”