Update on the response due to significant heavy rainfall and flooding

Following the flooding on New Year’s Day and the actions taken to keep our residents safe, the council is prioritising the work needed to clean up the borough and address the impacts of the heavy rain and flooding in our area.

Over the past few days, the council, with its partners Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) and Greater Manchester Police (GMP), have started the important work needed following any flooding and adverse weather.

The council has been busy checking the safety of many roads and bridges impacted by heavy rainfall.  A full sweep of affected roads has been carried out, and most affected roads are now clear of floodwater and open. The council has carried out post-flood highway and gulley clearance and supported GMP in removing stranded vehicles and obstructions, ensuring highways return to business as usual as quickly as possible.

The A34 is open in Stockport. Hulme Hall Road, Bramhall Green roundabout and Bridge Lane are fully open. The A555 is now fully open in Stockport, but there are diversions in the Cheshire East section (Handforth) and access to Manchester Airport and the M56 remains closed. Please check our social media channels, Facebook and X, for updates.

If you have been affected by the flooding, advice can be found on the gov.uk website. You can also sign up for flood warnings on gov.uk.

This weekend is set to be very cold, with the region being under an amber weather warning for snow and ice, which ends Sunday. The gritters have been out today to treat high levels and rural roads. With temperatures expected to remain cold over the weekend, priority routes will be gritted this evening from 7 pm and over the weekend. Roads may still be hazardous, and everyone is urged to take extra care and only travel if necessary.

An amber cold health alert has also been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which is in effect until noon on 08/01/2025 across the North West. The agency has warned that this is likely to lead to a rise in deaths amongst people over 65 and with health conditions, while there could also be a rising demand for health services. You can help by checking older or vulnerable friends, family and neighbours. More information is available on the UKHSA website.

For information about gritting, reporting winter issues, and tips to stay safe during the cold winter months, visit our winter maintenance webpage and you can sign up for weather warnings on the Met Office's website.

Leader of Stockport Council, Cllr Mark Hunter, said: “It’s been a tough start to the year for many people and I want to personally thank all residents and businesses for their patience and resilience as we continue to work with the emergency services into the weekend. Teams are continuing to work round the clock to assist those directly affected and clear roads as quickly as possible. With adverse weather warnings for our region again over the weekend, please do look after yourselves and others, stay warm and be careful if you do need to travel".