Severe flooding swamps northern canals

HEAVY rain in the North has caused severe flooding of the waterways.

Castlefield in Manchester is underwater and many sections of the northern canals impassable with Failsworth, Stalybridge and Wigan all flooded with the Met Office stating that waters could rise, Keith Gudgin reports.

Half a month's rain

The equivalent of half a month's rain fell on the region in the space of 24 hours, with 12 flood warning in place and many boat owners fearing their boats will be swept away in the resulting floods.

In Manchester, both the Rochdale and Bridgewater canals are swamped by the flood water with many boats in precarious positions, especially with flood water still reported as rising.

Calder & Habble

The Calder & Hebble Navigation is also flooded..

Matthew Webb, whose boat was moored at Castlefield told Manchester Evening News: 

“We were getting worried. The canal was like a raging torrent. Unfortunately for me, the flow was coming from the bridge and the debris was coming towards my boat. Noah would’ve appreciated it.”

This morning (Monday) it is reported that the floodwater in Castlefield is no longer rising.