A woman was rescued by boat as homes were evacuated following flooding across Wigan on New Year’s Day (January 1). Roads and car parks across the area were submerged as heavy rain saw rivers and streams burst their banks.
Footage from Platt Bridge showed rescuers pushing a boat containing a woman to safety across a submerged street. Firefighters and police have attended incidents across the area, with other photographs showing rescuers in boats searching for those needing help.
A number of businesses across the area were left inundated with water as a result of the flooding. Water had risen around the Home Bargains and Iceland in Platt Bridge, with one woman seen wading almost up to her waist through the cold murky water.
Flooding in Platt Bridge, Leigh
(Image: Ryan Jenkinson | Manchester Evening News)
Greater Manchester Police announced a major incident across the region as a result of the flooding. By 6pm, the force confirmed localised flooding continued in the Wigan area and a council refuge centre was in place at Robin Park.
Homes in some areas Wigan were without power for much of New Year’s Day – among around 2,800 across the North West left without electricity following the rain. Electricity North West announced that those left without power in the WN4 postcode areas could head to The Coffee Shop on Garswood Street in Ashton-in-Makerfield for hot drinks and food.
A woman makes her way through floodwater in Platt Bridge
(Image: Ryan Jenkinson | Manchester Evening News)
Environment Agency flood alerts, which mean flooding is possible and that people should be prepared. These are in place for the River Glaze catchment including Moss, Hey, Bedford and Borsdane Brooks and their tributaries and Leigh, Tyldsley, Hindley, Westhoughton, Atherton, Worsley, Walkdon and East Wigan and the River Douglas from Horwich Star Vale to Appley Bridge including Adlington, Blackrod, Wigan, Standish, and Gathurst.
A flood warning, which means flooding is expected and people should ‘act now’ also remains in force for low lying area adjacent to the River Douglas including properties on Eleanor St, the Bus Depot, Baker St, Poolstock and the Robin Park area on Wednesday evening.
Flooding in Platt Bridge on New Year’s Day
(Image: Lucy O’Connor)
The warning states: “Flooding is forecast to affect locations near the River Douglas. Our incident response staff are in the area and Wigan flood storage basin is in use.
“Take care and avoid walking, cycling or driving through flood water. Move family, pets and cars to safety and turn off gas, electricity and water if it is safe to do so.”
MP Josh Simons, whose constituency covers Platt Bridge, said: “Although I know people will want to help, please don’t travel to Platt Bridge unless you are already there Fully cooperate with the emergency services, and ring 999 if there is something life threatening.”
Shortly after 5.30pm, he added: “A generator has now arrived in Platt Bridge at the McDonald’s, and it is open and offering food and drinks to customers of Electricity North West. There is no rain forecast tonight, and the flood waters are receding, but please continue to stay safe.”
Wigan Athletic postponed their New Year’s Day fixture against Huddersfield due to the flooding. A spokesperson said: “Heavy rainfall over Tuesday night has made roads treacherous in the area, although the playing surface at the Brick Community Stadium was deemed playable.
“However, safety concerns regarding the public areas surrounding the ground and the strain on local emergency services dealing with a number of major incidents, which have been affected by severe flooding, led to the league fixture being called off.”
A number of major roads remain closed to traffic in the Wigan area due to flooding, particularly in the Platts Bridge area. These include the A58 Liverpool Road between Sherwood Way to Neville Street, the A58 Platt Street from A573 Warrington Road to Sherwood Way and A573 Walthew Lane from A58 Liverpool Road to Neville Street.