Three days since torrential downpours flooded their corner of Trafford, residents and businesses say they are still waiting for help to arrive.
Across Greater Manchester, clean-up operations have been underway after widespread flooding on New Year’s Day. At Meadow Mill in Stockport, where 400 residents were evacuated, street cleaners have been removing layers of mud and silt.
Those living on the upper floors were left trapped and for a time the building could only be accessed by boat. Rescue teams were scrambled to help residents from the the converted 19th Century mill as water engulfed the car park.
ADVERTISEMENT
READ MORE: The amazing bakery in the middle of a Manchester housing estate with queues out the door
Yesterday morning (January 2), teams of electricity workers examined a nearby substation and scores of recovery trucks arrived to tow the vehicles away.
But those living and working just a few miles up the road on Church Road in Flixton say they have been forced to sit and wait, watching as floodwater carries rubbish, ‘used condoms’, and sewage past their homes three days after the downpour..
A respite care facility and farm operating as kennels and cattery are among those left submerged. The properties, they say, were hit by ‘a tidal wave of water’ when the River Mersey burst its banks.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We’ve got condoms and poo floating round our properties, and it’s been going on for three days,” said Jean O’Hara, the owner of the Fairways Respite Service.
The manager of the Fairways homes, Rebecca Cole, told how she saw the water suddenly flood into the facility. “It happened in minutes,” she said. “It was like a tidal wave.”
Yesterday (January 3), Stretford and Urmston MP Andrew Western was also on the scene where there is still a lake of water across Church Road. He called on water company United Utilities to ‘take responsibility’ and help the residents the businesses.
“I only found out about this today,” he said. “The residents have been left without power and access to their homes and we are in the third day. I have been in touch with Trafford council who have been really helpful, but I’ve not been able to raise United Utilities. We really need some help from them.”
ADVERTISEMENT
In a tweet to UU on X, Mr Western said: “I’m at Church Road in Flixton which has been under water for three days with no sign of a clean-up operation and it;s now raining again. Residents have been left trapped in or out of their homes, some without power. This is unacceptable. Are you attending soon?”
The drama unfolded in the early evening of New Year’s Day when the Flixton Golf Club’s course and the former William Wroe Municipal golf course were flooded as the Mersey’s banks finally gave way after deluge that hit Greater Manchester on New Year’s Eve.
“We thought we’d got away with it,” said Church Road resident Gary Thompson, 58. “But at about 6pm on January 1 we were hit with this wall of water. About six of our houses and the Flixton golf course were under water in about eight minutes.”
The owner of the Baseeka Boarding Kennels, which also operates as a working farm, is Vicky Capewell, 42. She paid tribute to colleague John Rowles who sprung into action after firefighters told them the water was too deep for their vehicle to enter.
ADVERTISEMENT
“He hitched up the trailer to his tractor, and moved a family that were trapped in their basement to safety. But I can’t believe we have been left to fend for ourselves like this by United Utilities.
“Luckily, all the animals we care for while people are away on holiday – some 24 cats and 20 dogs – are all OK and are safe and well.”
John, 40, denied that he was a hero, stating: “I only did what anyone would have done”.
Resident Mark Houlker, 56, attributed some of the flooding to blocked drains in the area. Lifting up a grid cover he pointed to a large quantity of leaves preventing the water draining away.
“The River Mersey needs dredging and there needs to be a comprehensive plans to clear these drains,” he said. “Because, although this is the worst flooding we’ve experience, this has happened before, several years ago.”
One of the affected residents is Stephen Burke. He said: “We believe the flood relief gates for the River Mersey did not open early enough.
“We’re still under 12 inches of water, including sewage waste. There is waste water under the floors of the houses.
“No-one can do anything until United Utilities come and start pumping water away… Myself and neighbours have been clearing gulleys and opening manholes to help, but it’s having minimal impact.”
Julie Devine, 73, is another resident: “I was contacted by a neighbour at about 6pm on New Year’s Day when the water first started appearing. Now it’s under the floor boards and the stench is awful. There’s at least a foot of water under the houses.”
Responding, a United Utilities spokesperson, said: “Our teams have been working around the clock since New Year’s eve attending thousands of jobs across the region in response to the widespread flooding we’ve seen.
“On Church Road, the Mersey broke its banks and overwhelmed the local drainage and sewer network. We will continue to work with Trafford Council as they support residents whilst river levels subside.”
EMEA Tribune is not involved in this news article, it is taken from our partners and or from the News Agencies. Copyright and Credit go to the News Agencies, email news@emeatribune.com Follow our WhatsApp verified Channel
