Flooding hits North with bad weather forecast
FLOODING HAS hit motorways, roads and railways in the North of England with warnings of more bad weather on the way.
Heavy downpours drenched the morning rush-hour with Greater Manchester Fire Service warning road users of the “horrendous” driving conditions.
Motorists were left stranded in cars as localised flooding hit roads in Oldham, and further east of Manchester roads in Mossley were swamped by the deluge running off the Pennine hills into the village. There are no reports of injury or damage to property.
Replacement bus services were put on for trans-Pennine train services between Manchester Victoria and Huddersfield after the railway line flooded at Stalybridge, Tameside.
The line later re-opened with trains running at a reduced speed. Flooding also hit a section of the M60 motorway in Salford with Transport for Greater Manchester urging drivers to take extra care due to the amount of water on the roads.
The disruption comes ahead of more bad weather forecast later this week.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for a swathe of the North of England, with winds up to 70mph forecast to hit tonight and into tomorrow morning.
Road, rail and air services may be affected with longer journey times and cancellations possible along with some restriction to roads and bridges.
There is also a small chance of power cuts, and some damage to buildings, such as tiles blowing off roofs, the Met Office said.
The warning covered Yorkshire and Humber regions. The strongest winds are expected to arrive in the west of the region this evening and move eastward. Heavy rain may be an additional hazard resulting in difficult driving conditions.
Met Office forecaster Greg Dewhurst predicted an “unsettled autumn day” before a second area of low pressure comes in from the Atlantic bringing strong winds today. “It is likely to bring winds across many parts of England and Wales on Tuesday and Wednesday of between 50mph and 60mph, with isolated gusts reaching 70mph,” said Mr Dewhurst.