People living near the A555 fear a plan to stop the road flooding could be a 'recipe for disaster'. Less than 10 years old, the A555 has faced 'longstanding challenges', causing major disruption for drivers. The road links Stockport and Manchester Airport to the wider network but after it opened in 2018, it has been repeatedly affected by flooding.
Work was done to try and solve the problem but the road has still continued to flood. On New Year's Eve and New Year's Day between 2024 and 2025, the road had to be completely closed to traffic.
Drainage works and fears for homes
Stockport council looked at what further measures could be taken with interventions to improve drainage around Woodford with work completed in July this year. Drainage from the Highfield Parkway housing estate and Woodford's Recreation Ground will now be diverted into Spath Brook.
That has sparked fears it could lead to people's homes flooding in between Bramhall and Woodford. Despite its small size, the brook is officially designated a river by the Environment Agency.
The brook runs to the north of the main road away from Bramhall towards Chester's Croft, a retirement village off Spath Lane East. That road has flooded in the past and residents fear they could be cut off if flooding gets worse.
Residents' concerns and council response
Anne Nerney, who lives on the estate, said: "In that whole rush to resolve it, have they thought about the repercussions downstream? They haven't listened to us at all. They do not understand any of it and how it is going to impact us - that whatever they do they must not led the A555 flood, got an idea, sorted something out, and then came up with this."
It is understood hydrological modelling carried out on behalf of the council and shared with the Environment Agency concluded the works would not increase downstream flood risk. This modelling predicts there would be only a minor increase in overall flows and no appreciable increase in predicted flood depths.
At the Woodford Recreation Ground, the ponds created there come with hydrobrakes that will control the flow of water. This will slow the rate of discharge into Spath Brook.
Future housing plans add to worries
Concerns about what could happen in the future are only increasing because the fact developer Jones Homes want to build 250 homes on fields off Hall Moss Lane. The plans promise to create an 'attractive residential development' close to the village centre, with a new linear park, play areas, and contributions towards supporting local infrastructure.
If the houses are built, those living in the area worry hard surfaces like roofs and roads could lead to more runoff going into the brook, increasing the risk of flooding further. Jones Homes was approached for comment.
Alan Burke said: "It's a disaster waiting to happen but people do not seem to want to listen. Are we about to make a seriously bad decision here? The A555 needs fixing. Let's hope it works. They are spending a lot of money on it but let's hope there is no consequences on the community."
A spokesperson for Stockport council said: "Our teams have carried out extensive work to develop the proposals to improve drainage on the A555 and understand the potential impacts before any work began. These proposals include the recently completed drainage improvements at Woodford Recreation Ground. These works were designed to restore water flows to Spath Brook, reflecting the situation before the original A555 was constructed, and were approved by the Environment Agency. We have offered to meet residents to explain the scheme and the technical work undertaken to provide reassurance. We will monitor the completed works at Woodford Recreation Ground and continue our further work to improve the drainage on the A555."
