A main road in Oldham remains closed as investigations into 'severe' flooding that left homes underwater continue. Residents on the stretch of Hollins Road near the junction of Hogwill Crescent woke early last Friday morning to find it looking like a 'lake' with water waist-deep.
Locals said a blocked pipe led to flooding which affected at least six properties. Five fire engines were scrambled and spent nine hours at the scene, helping at least one family's children to get out of their property through bedroom windows and down a ladder.
Residents displaced and road closed
Some of those whose homes were damaged by the 'contaminated' water had to be put up in hotels by the council. The water had largely subsided by the following day, but the road has been closed between Lynmouth Avenue and Crofton Street since.
In an update issued today (October 13), water company United Utilities (UU) said investigations into the incident were ongoing and that there was no timeline on when the road may reopen.
United Utilities response
A UU spokesperson said: “We are working closely with partners from Oldham Council in response to the flooding on Hollins Road. We know this has been a distressing time for those affected, and we are providing support.
“As investigations continue, the road remains closed. We are working as quickly as possible to reopen it when it is safe to do so and would like to thank residents for their patience and understanding.”
Residents describe flood damage
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News on Saturday, resident Noby Philip, a 50-year-old father-of-three, said: “It was like a lake. I've been here for two-and-a-half years, I've never seen anything like it.” He said water had travelled all the way from the vestibule, inside the living room and through to the kitchen, leaving carpets damp.
“It's all contaminated water,” said Mr Philip. “It's not in a liveable condition. The council has arranged for us to stay in a hotel in Rochdale for a few nights but we'll have to find a new home.”
Haseeb Sajjad, 27, who lives in the flat above the barber shop on the corner - Billy's Cuts - with his father, said: “I got up around dawn, and there was water everywhere, it was up to my hip. My car was submerged in the water.” Mr Sajjad, who works in a pharmacy, was instructed not to go back inside his flat, so stayed with family nearby.
“I was out all day and around 11pm I wanted to go back and get a change of clothes, but the Council said no because of how deep the water was,” he said. “They said the water could also affect the electrical wiring.”
Bilal Amin, the owner of the barber shop, said he was alerted to the flooding by a neighbour and customer. He arrived on Saturday morning to assess the damage, and said he was concerned about the impact it could have on his business. Oldham Council said at the weekend that it was 'providing support to all affected residents.'
