Flood-hit village roads re-open

The flood-hit village of St Michael’s-on-Wyre returned to some sort of normality today following the re-opening of two key roads.
An aerial view of the flooding in St Michaels. Photo: Lancashire Fire and RescueAn aerial view of the flooding in St Michaels. Photo: Lancashire Fire and Rescue
An aerial view of the flooding in St Michaels. Photo: Lancashire Fire and Rescue

Access to the village from the west was restored last night almost 24 hours earlier than expected when the A586 and Hall Lane were both declared safe for traffic.

Clean-up work was still continuing today to sweep the rods and clear gullies.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But Lancashire County Council’s highways manager Paul Dunne said: “Thanks to sterling work from colleagues at Wyre Borough Council and the Environment Agency we are really pleased to have been able to open both of these roads on Tuesday evening, well ahead of schedule.

“We still have some remedial work to do on Wednesday to sweep the road and clear the gullies, which will help prevent further flooding. But we took a view that the most important thing for the local community was to open the road and help people get back closer to normality.

“I’d like to thank everyone locally for their patience at what has been a very difficult time for them.”

River levels in the area have fallen since Storm Desmond hit last week and a severe flood warning for the village is no longer in force.

During the emergency flood defences were breached three times in a week and residents were evacuated from their homes twice.

A flood recovery appeal has been set up at www.lancsfloodappeal.org.uk