Plea from emergency services as flooding continues to hit Wigan

North West Fire Control, which handles emergency calls for Cheshire, Cumbria, Lancashire and Greater Manchester fires services, said it was receiving a "high volume of calls" on Wednesday evening.

People were asked to contact local authorities to report flooding and request sandbags, leaving 999 for emergencies only.

It comes as heavy rain continues to pour across the county, with river levels rising and roads becoming flooded.

The Environment Agency issued a flood warning for Borsdane and Hockery Brook in Hindley, with residents warned flooding was "expected" on land next to Borsdane Brook, between Rayner Park and Rockingham Drive.

There is also a flood warning in place for Honksford Brook, in Mosley Common, where flooding was anticipated at properties on Worsley Business Park and Mosley Common Road.

Chorley Road in Standish was closed earlier, along with Warrington Road in Leigh, while the busy Saddle junction in Wigan also flooded.

Edge Green Lane in Golborne has been shut due to flooding, with the number 10 bus diverted via Ashton Road, Church Street and East Lancashire Road to Golborne

Slag Lane in Lowton has been closed between Plank Lane and Byrom Lane due to flooding, while there have also been issues with large amounts of water on Mort Lane in Tyldesley.

A number of roads across the area have been closed and train services cancelled due to flooding.

The customer director at Transport for Greater Manchester, Stephen Rhodes, said: “Due to the severe weather and the risk of flooding we are seeing disruption across the transport network and conditions are due to worsen this evening.

“If you must travel then take extra care, allow extra time and plan your journey.

“If you are driving, please take the condition of the roads into account and be mindful of other drivers.

“Let’s work together and not put our emergency services and the NHS – who are already working extremely hard due to the Covid-19 pandemic – under any more pressure.”

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