Blocked drains were NOT the cause of Manchester flooding, council leader says

Blocked drains were not the cause of devastating New Year’s floods which ‘significantly damaged’ local parks and more than 50 roads, council bosses say.

Torrential rainfall battered Greater Manchester from New Year’s Eve well into January 1, leading to police declaring a ‘major incident’. Officers attended floods in Bolton, Bowdon, Didsbury, Harpurhey, Stalybridge, Stockport and Wigan over the course of New Year's Day.

Around 1,000 people have been evacuated, and major roads in the city such as the A555 were closed on Thursday (January 2) morning. In Manchester, firefighters evacuated 445 people from the Britannia Hotel in West Didsbury, as well as around 50 properties in Didsbury.

But the flooding was down to extreme weather and not blocked drains, according to Manchester council leader Bev Craig, who said ‘increased investment for drain clearances’ means the authority ‘does not believe that the standing water that we saw yesterday is due to blockages’.

Palatine Road remains flooded because it drains into the River Mersey. Water levels in the river have yet to fall sufficiently to allow floodwater to be pumped out, Coun Craig added.

Palatine Road is just one of 50-plus to be damaged by the floods, with Coun Craig stating ‘over 52 roads experienced damage’ and ‘we have experienced significant damage in our local parks’.

The clean-up operation has now begun in earnest, as chief fire officer Dave Russel confirmed his service’s ‘focus now is on helping people return to their homes and get back to normality as quickly as possible’ earlier on Thursday.

In pictures: Major roads submerged, cars left floating and homes cut off as 'severe' flooding hits Greater Manchester

It’s thought the council and emergency service response