Storm Boelo closes Oldham road and blocks Greater Manchester rail routes

Three flood warnings were issued across Greater Manchester as Storm Boelo brought flooding and rail disruption on Saturday 24 October. Floodwater forced the closure of Waterloo Street in Oldham.

Flood warning areas

In Bolton, the Environment Agency issued a warning for Astley Bridge covering Old Road, Blackburn Road, Seymour Road, Greenwood Vale and Viola Street in Sharples. A second covered Lostock, around Sudbury Drive and sections of Rumworth Road and Regent Road.

The third warning covered Millingford Brook in Ashton-in-Makerfield, around Wigan Road and Princess Road. Residents there were urged to ‘act now’.

Rail and tram disruption

Northern said damage to overhead wires blocked the route linking Manchester Piccadilly with Manchester Airport. Flooding also blocked its Wigan North Western–Liverpool Lime Street route.

TransPennine Express said a train had struck a tree near Warrington, preventing its services from running between Manchester Oxford Road and Liverpool Lime Street.

A falling tree damaged overhead lines on the Manchester Piccadilly–Dinting route, disrupting services to Derbyshire.

The Bee Network said an unidentified object on an overhead line briefly affected trams between Crumpsall and Bury.

In Heywood, emergency services attended Bridge Street after concerns that wind could bring down a derelict building. It remained standing and the area was made safe.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said one Heywood fire engine was called at about 6.30pm on Saturday 24 October. Firefighters worked with Greater Manchester Police and Rochdale Council.

For Sunday 25 October, Met Office forecasters expected mainly cloudy conditions with some bright or sunny spells, alongside very strong winds that could cause disruption.