Travel Disrupted by Flooding as Alerts Persist

Heavy rainfall has resulted in numerous flood alerts being active across England’s north-west, causing road closures and extensive interruptions to travel. Earlier, seven red alerts had been issued for Lancashire and Cheshire due to torrential overnight downpours throughout the region; however, the Environment Agency has since reduced these to an amber warning. Additionally, flood alerts affect areas along the River Bollin, close to Knutsford and Macclesfield, and the River Gowy, near Frodsham. The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for the region in anticipation of Storm Darragh’s arrival on Saturday. In addition to the flooding, National Rail has reported an issue with a system utilized by train drivers and signallers, leading to delays for multiple services. Northern confirmed that cancellations and delays were occurring on services connecting Manchester, Bolton, and Wigan, as well as those from Preston to Barrow, and Leeds to Manchester, Chester, and Warrington, attributing them to both flooding and signalling problems. Travelers are advised to verify their journeys prior to departure, and several ticket restrictions have been temporarily waived due to the ongoing disruption. Concurrently, Lancashire Police cautioned motorists to undertake journeys only when essential, following road closures in Blackburn, Darwen, Rossendale, and Burnley. In Merseyside, torrential downpours have led to road closures, including a section of Queens Drive in Liverpool, which is experiencing flooding from Dovedale Road to North Mossley Hill Road. This particular road is susceptible to flooding, and a couple tragically lost their lives last year on Queens Drive when their vehicle became submerged in floodwater. Elaine and Philip Marco perished after their car became trapped on 26 August 2023. Merseyrail reported that heavy rainfall and flooding had caused disruptions to the railway service between Hooton and Capenhurst on the Chester line. Additionally, video footage circulated on X depicted floodwater flowing through a section of Everton’s new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock. An Everton FC spokesperson stated that the new stadium’s drainage system remained under construction and was expected to be finalized within the upcoming weeks. Lancashire County Council announced the closure of two schools in Pendle, necessitated by burst water pipes. Pendle View Primary School and St John Fisher and Colne’s Thomas More Roman Catholic High School are shut because of a lack of water facilities. The council indicated that United Utilities was presently on-site conducting repairs.