Emergency services have attended an incident of major flooding on a busy Manchester road this morning after a water main burst.
Dramatic photos and video footage shared across social media earlier today showed water gushing down Hyde Road in Gorton and the neighbouring Far Lane, and residents in the area had also reported that their water supply had been turned off following the incident.
Hyde Road has since been closed between Reddish Bridge and Thornwood Avenue to deal with the incident, and engineers and firefighters were spotted wading through the deep water.
Delays have been reported on roads in the area.
Transport for Greater Manchester tweeted about the incident and confirmed that it is “due to a burst water main which is icing over”.
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They said gritters were being used to get rid of the ice.
Councillor Julie Reid – Labour and Cooperative Councillor for Gorton and Abbey Hey – also took to social media this morning to alert United Utilites that “a main arterial water pipe has burst and emptied Debdale reservoir”, but that thankfully “no one is injured”.
United Utilities said engineers were on site to fix the issue.
Offering the latest update on the current situation, a spokesperson for United Utilities said:
A spokesperson for United Utilities said: “We are very sorry to say that a large water main burst in Hyde Road earlier today causing flooding and leaving some customers temporarily without water.
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“Our engineers have been on site since the burst happened and have now successfully isolated the main.
“This should mean that water is subsiding and we can shortly start repair work [but] in the meantime, our fleet of water tankers are pumping directly into the mains at strategic points to support local supplies and get them back to normal as quickly as possible.
“Our insurance team is also on site to check whether the water has caused any localised flooding or damage to property.
“They will liaise with anyone who has been affected to make sure they get the help and support they need.”
Please take care on the roads today and only travel if you need to. There have already been a number of collisions this morning due to adverse weather conditions across Greater Manchester. Thankfully no-one was seriously injured. Follow @OfficialTfGM for any travel updates. pic.twitter.com/odgwZlFHEZ
The incident also came as a number of crashes were reported on roads across the region, with icy conditions causing collisions on the M61, the M66 and Mancunian Way, and Greater Manchester Police urging drivers to “take care on the roads and only travel if you need to”.
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The force tweeted: “Please take care on the roads today and only travel if you need to.
“There have already been a number of collisions this morning due to adverse weather conditions across Greater Manchester.
“Thankfully no-one was seriously injured – follow @OfficialTfGM for any travel updates.”
News
Council announces return of FREE firework displays in Manchester parks
Emily Sergeant
The skies over Manchester will light up once again, as free firework displays are set to return to several of the city’s parks.
You may remember that major fireworks events throughout the city had been paused following the COVID-19 pandemic, due to funding challenges, with Manchester City Council choosing to invest in a range of other community-focused events across throughout the autumn season instead, rather than one-off firework celebrations.
But now, once this November rolls around, all of that is set to change.
That’s because, on Saturday 7 November, free fireworks events will return to Heaton Park, Wythenshawe Park, and Platt Fields Park.
First up, there will be a reduced-noise, low-impact display at 5pm for families and SEND audiences, and a main fireworks display then to follow a little later at 8pm.
The Council has announced the return of free firework displays in Manchester parks / Credit: Unsplash
Each of the three parks will host lantern making workshops in the weeks leading up to the events too, with family-friendly lantern parades taking place ahead of the 8pm firework shows.
The Council says that the return of the free fireworks events reflects residents’ recent feedback about what they want to see in their community and how they want funding to be distributed.
“It’s a chance, at the start of the shorter days and beginning of the dark winter months, to come together and resume a much-loved annual tradition as well as enjoying an evening of safe entertainment and spectacular fireworks displays,” Manchester City Council said in a statement.
Councillor Basat Sheikh, who is the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, added: “We are delighted to announce and welcome the return of our much-loved fireworks celebrations.
It’s the first time they’ve returned since the COVID-19 pandemic / Credit: Elisha Terada (via Unsplash)
“Our parks should be shared spaces that create opportunities for Manchester people to gather, which is why bringing back the fireworks displays was top of our agenda. And we also recognise the importance of community which is why we will also continue to invest in a wide range of activities in our parks throughout the year.
“The return of these events is a wonderful opportunity for families and communities to create lasting memories and enjoy the long-standing tradition of fireworks in our parks in a safe way.”
Additional entertainment will be announced for each park in the coming weeks too, so keep your eyes peeled for more.
Featured Image – Alex Jones (via Unsplash)
News
Stockport man admits to drugging and raping his wife without her knowledge for more than 20 years
Emily Sergeant
A man in his 60s from Stockport has admitted drugging and raping his wife in a ‘horrific’ 20-year campaign of abuse.
According to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), the man – who cannot be identified in order to protect the life-long anonymity of the victim – previously admitted five counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, six counts of assault by penetration, and one count of sharing intimate photos or film.
And now, during an appearance at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court yesterday (14 September), he pleaded guilty to a further 45 charges.
This makes it 60 charges in total the man has now pleaded guilty to.
Some of the charges he pleaded guilty to yesterday include a further 16 counts of rape, nine counts of assault by penetration, seven counts of sexual assault, and four counts of attempted rape, amongst several others.
Speaking following the court appearance yesterday, GMP’s Assistant Chief Constable, Rick Jackson, said: “Our focus remains on supporting the victim of this horrific campaign of abuse through what is a very complex investigation.
“Specialist support continues to be provided to the victim at the centre of this case.
“If you are concerned you or someone you know may be affected by drug-facilitated sexual abuse, please know that you do not need proof, certainty, or a clear memory to be taken seriously.
“You are not expected to understand exactly what has happened or who was involved in order to be taken seriously. If you feel that something has happened, then please report it or ask for help.”
GMP reiterates that anyone who does choose to report sexual abuse does not need a full account or clear memory, can share as much or as little as they feel able, and will be supported by trained officers, as their ‘immediate’ safety and wellbeing will be the ‘priority’.
They may also speak to a support organisation first and decide later whether to involve police.
Saint Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre – Services are available on a 24-hour basis, and can be accessed by calling 0161 276 6515.
Greater Manchester Rape Crisis – Call on 0161 273 4500 or email [email protected]
The Manc -
15th January 2021 
