Moorlands hit by major storm
Power down, trees fall and rivers flooded
HUNDREDS of homes across the Staffordshire Moorlands were left without power this week after Storm Franklin battered the area.
On Sunday, around 67 properties around an area including Endon and Cheadle were without power.
And on Monday morning there were around 660 across North Staffordshire affected, including around 23 properties around Rushton Spencer; 182 in Forsbrook and Dilhorne; and 118 around Oakamoor and Cauldon Low.
Western Power said they had seen 1.8 million hits on their website – which is the equivalent of two months’ worth of activity in two days. During Storm Arwen, they saw 537,000 hits.
Graham Halladay, operations director, said: “Unfortunately, the sheer devastation Storm Eunice left has made accessing and repairing faults extremely challenging, which is why it is taking longer than we would like to carry out repairs. We are sorry and we are doing our level best to get every single customer’s lights back on.”
Motorists were also being turned away from one of the Moorlands’ busiest roads after it fell victim to Storm Franklin.
Staffordshire Police were on Leek Road in Endon from around 10.30am on Monday after a tree began to collapse.
The route – a key road linking Stoke-on-trent to Leek – was closed between Clay Lake and near to St Luke’s Primary School.
Motorists heading from Leek were being directed onto either Clay Lake or Station Road; drivers coming from the city were being turned around.
Images from the scene show how a tree appears to have begun falling but was lying on some cables.
It is one of many routes to be hit by the extreme weather as trees and debris have fallen on roads across North Staffordshire.
A flood alert was also issued for the River Churnet and River Tean.
The Environment Agency reported on Sunday: “River levels are rising at the Leek river gauge as a result of heavy rainfall from Storm Eunice.
“Consequently, flooding of roads and farmland is expected throughout this evening and into tomorrow morning (Monday).
“Flooding is affecting low-lying land and roads adjacent to the River Churnet between Leek and Rocester and the River Tean between Adderley and Spath including Cecilly Brook at Cheadle.”
Last Friday, the Staffordshire Moorlands were battered by high
winds as the UK experienced ‘one of the most powerful storms in years.’
A tree fell on a car in Brampton Road, Newcastle, and trees also came down in Ash Bank Road, Werrington, Lower Hadderidge Gardens and Christine Street in Burslem and Peover Lane in Congleton.
Councillor David Williams, county council cabinet member for highways, said: “The most important thing is that everyone stays safe. So, our message to everyone is if the weather really is poor, only travel if you absolutely need to – and if you do, please take extra care.”
Meanwhile, repairs were being carried out at a Tesco store forced to shut after being battered by strong winds.
The Tesco Express branch in Blythe Bridge had to close on Sunday after high winds caused damage to the roof.
Shoppers were being urged to check online to see when the Uttoxeter Road shop will reopen.
Leaders at Staffordshire County Council were advising drivers to take care when out and about – and avoid flooded areas.
David Williams, cabinet member for Highways, said: “Our highways crews have had an extremely busy weekend, and with a Yellow Weather Warning in place for wind in place, this could result in more difficult conditions.
“Our highways crews are still mobilised and on hand to deal with any incidents that come in, to keep roads open and the county moving.”
Also on Monday, the A53 towards Buxton was closed to an overturned lorry near the Knights’ Table in Quanford just outside Flash.