Counting the cost after flooding chaos
HUGE disruption was caused across the Macclesfield and Poynton area as torrential rain caused the ‘worst floods in a very long time’.
The deluge came on Wednesday and Thursday with homes succumbing, roads under water and fish even seen swimming on one street.
It led to Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service declaring a major incident.
Among the areas that bore the brunt were Poynton and Bollington and although by this week the worst of the rain had passed the effects were still being felt.
In Bollington around 110 properties were affected on Water Street, High Street, Princess Street, Oldham Street, Foxglove Close, Queens Street and Hamson Drive.
Ingersley Road was also badly hit and is likely to remain closed for some
time with damage also being caused to the carriageway.
The town’s cricket pitch was flooded and two tonnes of sand was placed in front of Bollington Town Hall to protect it.
A statement for Bollington Town Council said: “It is interesting to note that live fish were found in the water passing down Ingersley Road which suggests an overflow from a pond or lake.
“It is the worst flood that Bollington and the immediate local area have experienced for a very long time.
“There are a significant number of homes invaded by the water and it is likely there will be some element of sewage in that water.
“We would like to recognise the community effort in dealing with the effects of the flooding and those who have provided their time and equipment to help, including those who have aided and comforted those who are displaced from their homes.”
Among residents and businesses to help stricken neighbours was Bollington Health and Leisure, who offered free shower use to those without hot water.
In Poynton floods also submerged homes with the fire service called to 20 incidents, including the rescue of 11 people.
London Road, Park Lane and Clumber Road were all closed, as was Moggie Lane, on the border of Adlington, because of a bridge collapse.
Poynton Civic Hall was set up as a ‘rest centre’ where hot drinks were served.
At the height of the floods a Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “We have declared a major incident due to the severe flooding in Poynton.
“Firefighters are working alongside the emergency services and Highways England to attend the areas and the people affected.”
AMONG the organisations affected by the floods was charity the Bridgend Centre, in Bollington.
Following a fearful day on Wednesday of volunteers watching the River Dean get increasingly swollen, the centre, on Palmerston Street, finally succumbed.
The torrent saturated the inside of the centre, washed over cupboards and damaged stock.
But thanks to a ‘Trojan effort’ from the community it was able to reopen on Tuesday, August 6, and those involved have been thanked profusely.
A spokesman for the centre said on Monday: “Following a Trojan effort from the whole community, the Bridgend Centre will re-open tomorrow (Tuesday). There won’t be any activities on during that day however we are otherwise open for business.
“We are accepting donations, but as we have limited stock space at the moment please keep them to a minimum or if they can wait until next week that would be fabulous.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who has helped us to get this far. We feel enormously privileged to have received the support, skills and equipment we have from so many in our community. Its been amazing.”
The Cotton Tree pub, on Ingersley Road, was also badly hit and staff there spent 10 hours pumping out the cellar on Thursday after it was breached three times. It was forced to shut but staff are hopeful it will reopen tomorrow.
Bollington Town Council has asked Cheshire East Council’s emergency team to provide vehicles to collect anything that is unsalvageable from homes and businesses and to convey it to landfill.
But the town council says this cannot happen until insurance loss adjusters have dealt with claims so it will advise when there is a date and will leaflet every affected property.