‘Someone will be killed’ warning after flood drama
LOCALS fear there will be a fatality at a dangerous flooding spot in Hall Green unless additional safety measures are made.
Green Road, off Sarehole Road, suffers from severe flooding when heavy rain causes the River Cole to rise dangerously, creating a swamp of murky water under an adjacent bridge for pedestrians. Drivers have too often found their cars submerged at the spot as they try to drive through.
A mother and her three-year-old daughter were the latest to fall victim when they nearly drowned after entering the treacherous water in a Fiat during the recent Storm Henk floods.
The pair were pulled to safety through the window by local hero Liam Stych. The quick-thinking 28-year-old, from Acocks Green, said he acted on ‘‘instinct’’.
The fire service said the incident “could have had a very different ending” if he had not intervened.
A local father said: “It happens far too often. Someone will get killed eventually unless something is done.
“Don’t get me wrong, drivers need to take responsibility, but I’d like to see the council do more. I think the signage could be better and maybe the river widened or deepened. Or some sort of barrier to stop people even using the road.”
Another concerned resident said: “We’re sick of it now. The council ignores us any time we flag the issue. We’re going to move out next year, we’ve already decided. The water comes as high as the yellow and black bins either side of the road. Our neighbour’s basement gets flooded every time there’s a storm.”
A grandmother who lives in nearby Thirlmere Drive, said: “I go over there every time there’s heavy rain to see how high the river rises. Someone is always stuck.”
A Birmingham City Council spokesman said: “Following Storm Henk, water levels on the River Cole rose considerably and led to flooding across the city, including Hall Green.
‘‘There is illuminated and non-illuminated signage on the approach to the bridge in Green Road that clearly states it is a ford which is liable to flooding, as well as a flood board indicating how high water can get.
“Following forecasts of heavy rain and in advance of high water levels in the area, the council’s highways contractor, Kier, closed the road approaching the bridge on January 2 to deter motorists from attempting to drive through the ford, as this is a well-known flooding hot spot.”
A Fire Service spokesman warned drivers that flood water can be very dangerous. “The water will be moving much faster thank you think,” he said. “You can’t see what’s beneath the surface, like raised manhole covers and debris. Flood water is often strong enough to shift your car several metres downstream.’’