Driver's flood misery

Amanda Crook and Brian Lashley

July 07, 2009

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Traffic has to drive around the stuck BMW

A MOTORIST was trapped in his car for over an hour in 2ft of flood water as heavy rain caused traffic chaos today.

The BMW 320i cut out under a railway bridge on Crossley Road, near the McVitie's factory in Heaton Chapel, Stockport, just after 8am.

A tow truck was unable to reach the stranded vehicle because of the depth of the water. Other vehicles drove round the BMW, whose owner did not want to open his doors in case the water flooded into the £20,000 car. The driver, who did not want to be named, said: "A bus went under the bridge and I followed it and the car just died on me.

"The water was about 2ft deep before it started to subside and I couldn't get out. People still kept driving under the bridge, which is crazy."

Firefighters and police had earlier managed to push another car stranded under the bridge to safety.

One man who works nearby said: "Every time there is heavy rain cars get stuck under the bridge. I've seen it where the water has been at least 3ft deep, and it is often as bad as it was today."

Deluge

A Stockport council spokesman, said: "Due to the deluge of rain overnight the sewer around Crossley Road in Heaton Chapel has not been able to cope, which results in surface water not draining and remaining on the highway."

The road was closed and diversions put in place.

Heavy rain during the morning rush hour also caused traffic delays on the East Lancs Road near Swinton, the M60 and M61.

Forecasters say rain will continue to batter the region over the day and there is no prospect of a return to the scorching weather during the foreseeable future. A Highways Agency spokesman said: "There have been no incidents this morning but we have set the signs to warn of spray and people are driving slowly which is causing congestion."

Rob Hutchinson, of weather forecasters metrogroup, said: "Scattered heavy showers are due to hit southern Scotland, England and Wales again today following deluges yesterday.

"The high pressure which caused tropical temperatures of more than 30C for almost a week was ousted by a low pressure front coming in from the west. It's looking relatively cool and changeable. There's no sign of the warm weather we saw returning in the next 10 days."

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london sucks, lush green cheshire (07/07/2009 at 12:03)

That vehicle passing the stranded car looks suspiciously like an Environment Agency truck. Cavalry to the rescue?

Tezza, Tyldesley (07/07/2009 at 12:06)

If this man did not want to get water in his £20000 car then why did he not just open the windows and climb out he was right next to a footpath.

I am not surprised he did not want to be named……….Muppet

HC John, Stockport (07/07/2009 at 12:30)

The Stockport council spokesman should have said: "Due to the known inadequate drainage where Crossley Road in Heaton Chapel dips under the railway, deep water collected as it always does there when it rains."

J.Hall, Tameside (07/07/2009 at 12:40)

Rockets to the Moon,huge facilities with Electronic Technology,and here we have the same old story known for 50 years that under the bridge at this location the water floods.
As a lad in the 30`s/40s in Levenshulme it was common knowledge so who are the thickies who for 60 years cannot cure it.
It defies all belief.

Pearce Film, North West (07/07/2009 at 12:50)

How come a tow truck couldnt reach him but other cars just drove round ???

Mad Welsh Scotsman, Cadishead (07/07/2009 at 12:59)

Me thinks there's a slight exageration here, 2 ft of water? His wheels would have been submerged and you can see his sill.

8 inches of water more like

And as Tezza said, why didn't he climb out of the window?

At least if he fell into the water, St Johns Ambulance HQ is there in the background of the photo

dessie, manchester (07/07/2009 at 13:04)

good 'ol manchester drainage system

Simon Says (07/07/2009 at 13:12)

I often wonder what Stockport Council's views are. Any rain near us and the drains can't cope.........or should we blame the highways agency?

tammykins, nebraska (07/07/2009 at 13:49)

Yes, I agree wit Tezza, why COULDN'T he just climb out of the windows and if other cars were just driving around him, then why couldn't a tow truck get to him???? And he didn't want to be named???? Wonder why???? This just doesn't make a whole lot of sence to me.

Edina Clouds, GREAT Manchester (07/07/2009 at 13:52)

There're wasn't a proper diversion in place!
Someone had put a diversion sign at the corner of Macvities and it pointed down Crossley Road in the direction of the bridge!After that motorists were left deciding what to do and a lot of people do not know the area.It's about time this was sorted out once and for all,it's Manchester it rains a lot! Stockport/Manchester ....spend some money on it and get it sorted out...............or is that the reason it's only been done half heartedly that they cannot decide who will bear the cost.

wahablue (07/07/2009 at 13:57)

I remember 40+ years ago working at Mcvities for a company called How Gourley,came out of work 5:30'ish in a Vauxhall Viva did exactly the same,stuck for ages.The more things change the more they stay the same.Progress,your 'avin a laugh.

Edina Clouds, GREAT Manchester (07/07/2009 at 15:56)

Does anyone know if the road's open now?15:55 pm
That's if it doen't pour down again between now and five o'clock?

salfordrat (07/07/2009 at 16:15)

Ha. We've been bamboozled by the MEN again. Obviously didn't get a photographer out there in time so used some old stock photo of a BMW parked next to a puddle. Tsk tsk tsk MEN.

Not a Number, just down the road (07/07/2009 at 16:27)

A BMW driver pushing his luck - no! it cannot be!

If he had gone up to Albert Road he wouldn't have had to chance his arm. Its a flat crossing beneath the line there.

Sienna Pod, Cheetham Hill (07/07/2009 at 16:38)

If that is 2Ft of water then I am about 80ft tall. Exaggeration ? You don't know the meaning of it.

A Manc and blue (07/07/2009 at 18:52)

For those who know Mort lane. It goes from Little Hulton to Tyldesley. Every year at the dip underneath the old train track it floods. I got stuck in it once when a mate picked me up. A member of GMP finist pulled up even though we were stopping traffic said "If you stil there in half an hour lads we will come an pick you Up". Did we get out. No chance we were in our best togs for the nights activities. Luckely we managed to get the car started. Just thought i would mention it

Joe Pub, Manchester (07/07/2009 at 20:36)

people are driving slowly which is causing congestion."

What is the correct speed this weather, the sign in the background probly says 20mph, and the water only looks 4in deep not even that as the kerb can be been seen, german engineering, baa.

peter gal (07/07/2009 at 21:57)

that isnt the bridge at crossley rd come on men get it right ...................

Tony Colemans Barman, Manchester 19 lost in Oz (08/07/2009 at 02:44)

Heaton Chaple? When I was a kid Crossley Rd was in Levenshulme, McVities was in Heaton Chaple and Cringle Fields was in Levie, dosent realy matter does it.

Steve (08/07/2009 at 07:32)

If other drivers were crazy for just driving round his car what does that make him 'idiot of the day'. Simples

Ace , manchester (09/07/2009 at 17:50)

This guy should sue the council for lack of care ! i mean 50 odd years to fix a drain problem.Surely if a road keeps flooding and they know about it they should close it ,until they can solve the problem .I really hope the guy takes the council to court and wins.

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