“The water just kept coming and coming – it was scary”
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
A residential road in Trafford turned into a deluge today (September 22) after a burst mains pipe sent a tide of water onto surrounding roads.
United Utilities confirmed that the leak had occurred on Flixton Road in Urmston. The M.E.N understands this took place at around 1:30pm.
Greater Manchester Police quickly closed off several nearby roads, including Irlam Road, to prevent cars from attempting to traverse the road, which was in places thigh-deep in flood water.
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Videos circulating on social media showed a torrent of water pouring out of the ground on Flixton Road, which then flowed up surrounding residential roads.
Residents on Irlam Road were hard at work throughout the afternoon to try and clear the water, using plungers, brooms, sticks and rakes to clear the grates so that the deluge could drain away.
One resident, who gave her name as Barbara, said she didn’t think of her neighbours’ property had been badly affected.
Trying to clear a drain through a foot of brown water, she said sarcastically: “People are saying it’s mud – you have to hope so.
“The road floods across here every year, but it generally sorts itself out.
“We’re doing our best and clearing what we can, but it’s the wrong time of year for it. The grates are full of leaves.”
Flooding in Urmston today (September 22) after a water pipe burst (Image: Submitted)
Other residents had improvised with tyres, chicken wire and even puppy crates to try and prevent further debris from entering the drains.
Jayne Williams said she had driven past the burst mains pipe and seen the damage. “It was a massive flood,” she said.
“It’s been an absolute nightmare the past couple of hours. There was all that rain on Saturday. I’ve lived here for 20 years but it hasn’t flooded this badly.
“I don’t think the drains haven’t been cleared or swept properly. But everyone has been so great, helping out – it’s been amazing.”
Juan Fernandez-Arias was hard at work sweeping leaves from a drain. He had been at home when the mains pipe burst.
“What was scary about it was, it wasn’t going down the drains,” he told the M.E.N. “The water was going up and up – it just kept coming and coming.”
“The water is receding slightly now – and that’s thanks to the neighbours’ efforts. This is a good example of the community coming together.
“But what do we pay our taxes for? This is causing all kinds of chaos in people’s lives – who are just trying to get by.”
Residents worked throughout the afternoon to try and clear the drains of debris(Image: Manchester Evening News)
A United Utilities spokesperson said at the time of the incident: “We are responding to mains pipe burst on Flixton Road, Manchester.
“Greater Manchester Police and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service are also in attendance to support with road closures, and temporary traffic management.
To keep customers on supply, we have deployed some of our water tankers to the area to pump water back into the network.
“These tankers will be located on Moorside Road, Woodsend Road and Bowers Avenue in Davyhulme. We apologise for any inconvenience and thank our customers for their patience while we work quickly to fix the burst.”
A spokesperson for Trafford Council said: “The Council is supporting United Utilities in its response to a burst water main on Flixton Road in Davyhulme. Our officers are on site with our partners at Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, alongside United Utilities.
“We are supporting affected residents, businesses, and organisations, and helping to manage road closures while United Utilities works to resolve the issue.”