The risk of further flooding could be reduced if the tank is installed
Flooding under the bridge at Queens Drive on August 26 2023(Image: Copyright Unknown)
A massive water tank in a Liverpool park could prevent future flooding disasters, according to a local councillor. On August 26 2023, retired caterers Elaine and Philip Marco died when their car became submerged in flood water in an area of Queens Drive under the railway bridge in Mossley Hill.
An inquest into their death, which took place this week at Gerard Majella Courthouse, heard that they became stranded when water entered the air intake of their Mercedes, rendering the car undrivable.
The combined sewer beneath the road became overwhelmed from the intensity of the rainfall, which the coroner said resulted in a “violent” sewer surcharge, flooding the road to a depth of 3m.
Senior coroner Andre Rebello said Liverpool City Council’s delay in putting up warning signs and lack of acknowledgement of risk at Queens Drive had contributed to the death of the couple.
Mr Rebello said Liverpool Council would have been aware of the lack of signage warning drivers since the construction of the road almost 100 years ago.
He found that as the lead local flood authority, the council did not appreciate the risk of flooding on Queens Drive represented a risk to life. The family of Mr and Mrs Marco said their deaths had been “completely avoidable” and said the local authority carried “the ultimate responsibility.”
Elaine and Philip Marco(Image: Merseyside Police/PA Wire )
Following the conclusion of the inquest, Andrew Lewis, Liverpool Council chief executive, said “substantial work” had been carried out to reduce the risk of further flooding at the site.
Flood warning signs and barriers were put up on the road in January 2024. The technology includes sensors to detect flood water under the bridge and in the gullies that will be flagged up.
Flashing warning signs and automatic barriers have also been installed in the area to try and stop people from driving towards a flooded area. These were seen in action Tuesday night, as Liverpool was hit with heavy rainfall and flooding.
A more permanent solution to the flooding which has plagued that section of Queens Drive for decades could lie a few minutes away in Wavertree.
A huge water tank is currently being installed at The Mystery. United Utilities is undertaking a £30m project in what the water company said will be measures to help reduce flooding in the area. It is thought the installation, which could change the face of the park around Grant Avenue, will take at least two years to complete.
The tank – which will hold 5.5 million litres of rainwater or the equivalent of more than two Olympic sized swimming pools – will sit 60ft deep into the ground of the park across 88ft in width.
United Utilities have started working on installing the water tank in The Mystery(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
The move has sparked controversy among park users, which was given to the city in 1895 by an anonymous city well-wisher.
A campaign has been launched to “save” The Mystery from the potentially “irreversible” work, citing the “massive disruption” it would cause to residents, schools and wildlife.
However, Cllr Richard Kemp, the councillor for Penny Lane – the ward in which the tragedy occurred – said the disruption can be justified if the water tank can prevent future flooding disasters in the area.
He said: “The Council has been ruled to be at fault in the terrible deaths of the Marcos in 2023 under the bridges on Queens Drive.
“Despite three previous cases of cars being stranded that there was no urgency in their approach to the problem. On that basis I support the conclusion of the Coroner.
Cllr Richard Kemp at the reopening of Queens Drive in August 2024(Image: Megan Banner)
“As a councillor for that area for 19 years I and colleagues had continually raised the issue. We ramped up complaints about lighting and blocked gullies after the first, second and third strandings but too little was planned and done too late.
“Clearly lives were at risk although no flooding had ever reached the magnitude of the one on that terrible night.
“But more permanent relief is at hand. Last night I took part in a public meeting about the installation in the Mystery of a 7,000,000 underground containment tank which will be filled when there are deluges and let out when the deluge has subsided.
“This will cost £30m and be undertaken by United Utilities as the first stage of a major programme of works to deal with the acute pressures of climate change.
“This will cause disruption in the Grant Avenue, Crawford Avenue and Penny Lane areas as this work and associated works take place.
“However, almost everyone I have spoken to about this realises that the work must be done although United Utilities cannot guarantee that the work will totally stop flooding, the work will certainly reduce risk.
“So, if United Utilities play their part the council must play their part by improving the lighting and putting in place proper barriers, lighting, and electronic indicator boards in place. Between those two sets of measures, we may be able to avoid a repeat of the tragedy which befell the Marco family.
Queens Drive closed due to flooding at Mossley Hill on Tuesday November 18(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
“Ironically, Queens Drive has only just reopened after being closed for three more days because of the torrential storm on Tuesday night.”
The full statement from Mr Lewis said: “I would like to take this opportunity to once again send our deepest condolences to the family of Mr and Mrs Marco. As the family’s moving testimony to the inquest demonstrates, their deaths have caused unimaginable distress and pain.
“Substantial work has been carried out at the site to mitigate the risk of future flooding. This included installing barriers, signage, and early warning systems, including CCTV monitoring and warning sensors.
“The council commissioned an independent expert review under Section 19 of the Flood and Water Management Act. This report was made public and has helped inform the inquest.
“I have given my personal assurance to the family that the council remains fully committed to maintaining openness and transparency in all matters related to this tragedy.”