Severe rainfall and flooding has sparked chaos on the transport network across Greater Manchester. Heavy rain throughout New Year’s Eve caused many towns across the borough to become flooded, with homes evacuated and cars seen floating down submerged roads.
Several roads have been closed throughout the day, including major routes such as the A555 Airport Relief Road, part of the M56 and the A34 in south Manchester.
Flooding on the A34 in Cheadle -Credit:Manchester Evening News
Train services have also been cancelled due to flooding on the tracks, with tram services to Manchester Airport also halted. Bus services were heavily impacted due to road closures across Greater Manchester.
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A major incident was declared by emergency services. Police said that Bolton, Didsbury, Harpurhey, Stalybridge, Stockport and Wigan were the areas which had seen the greatest impact.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) issued a new update at 4pm on Wednesday (January 1) of the road closures across the network, train and tram cancellations along with the impact on bus services along with the latest guidance.
Metrolink
Manchester Airport line
Due to flooding on the A555 (pictured below) there is no service between Wythenshawe Town Centre and Manchester Airport. Tickets and passes can be used on the 43 and 101 bus services.
All other lines
All other lines are currently operating normally, but please allow additional time for travel and check for the latest information before beginning your journey.
Highways
The following roads are currently closed:
A555
M56, J6-8
A34 Handforth Bypass
A34 Kingsway
White Carr Lane, Wythenshawe
Wilmslow Road, Cheadle
Manchester Old Road, Middleton
Tiviot Way, Stockport
Store Street, Manchester city centre
Bus
35, 610 and 611 – Flooding under the rail bridge on Edge Green Lane, Golborne means services are diverting via Lowton Rd – Ashton Rd. Stops on High Street, Heath Street and Bank Street are not currently being served.
52 – Barton Lane (Eccles) is blocked by a stranded vehicle. The service is using Liverpool Road to reach the Trafford Centre / Eccles.
59 – Due to flooding on Manchester Old Road, at the junction of Armitage Close, the 59 service is diverting via Manchester New Road – Victoria Avenue – Middleton Road in both directions.
156 – Due to flooding on Manchester Old Road, at the junction of Armitage Close, the 156 service is diverting via Manchester New Road – Victoria Avenue – Middleton Road in both directions.
609 – Due to the flooding, police have closed the roundabout at Liverpool Road / Platt Street. Buses are diverting via Moss Lane, Liverpool Road, Atherton Road and Leigh Road in both directions.
V1 – Due to flooding along the busway (pictured below), means services are diverting via Holden Road, Manchester Road and Astley Street.
Rail
Manchester Piccadilly area
Heavy rain flooding the railway in the Manchester Piccadilly area means trains will be cancelled, revised or diverted. Disruption is expected until 6pm. Network Rail engineers are on site assessing the extent of the flooding.
Trains between Manchester and Chester are unable to run
Trains between Manchester and New Mills Central are unable to run
Trains between Manchester and Sheffield services are unable to run
Trains between Manchester and Clitheroe are unable to run
Trains between Manchester and Buxton have now resumed
Due to a lack of availability and surrounding roads also being flooded, no replacement road transport will be provided at this time. As a result, passengers are advised not to attempt to travel between Manchester and Chester, or between Manchester and New Mills Central.
Manchester Airport – Manchester Piccadilly
Flooding between Manchester Airport and Manchester Piccadilly means that all lines are disrupted. Trains are now able to run, however, a reduced service is in operation. Services are currently operating once per hour between Manchester Airport and Manchester Piccadilly.
Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Oxford Road
Flooding between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Oxford Road means that all lines are blocked. Trains running between these stations will be cancelled. Trains are unable to run between Manchester Oxford Road and Liverpool Lime Street via Warrington Central
Trains are unable to run between Manchester Oxford Road and Liverpool Lime Street via St Helens Junction – Where possible, trains will run between Liverpool Lime Street and Newton le Willows only
Customers are advised that Northern ticket holders are able to use MerseyRail services between Liverpool Stations and Hunts Cross in both directions.
Mirfield
Trains are not able to call at Mirfield station due to local flooding to / from the station. This is expected to continue for the remainder of the afternoon.
Manchester Piccadilly – London Euston
Due to an incident between Clapham Junction / London Euston and Watford Junction train services between Manchester Piccadilly and London Euston are likely to be delays.
Whilst the emergency services carry out their work, all lines between these stations are closed. Trains running between may be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes or revised.
Further information can be found on the National Rail website