The A555 Manchester Airport Relief Road has partially reopened after New Year’s Day floods forced it to close. Dramatic images on New Year’s Day showed cars submerged in floodwater on the road, which became completely impassable.
In a traffic update, Stockport Council has confirmed that the section of the road which runs through Stockport is now reopen. However, it added that motorists may still experience some diversions in Cheshire East.
Heavy rain over New Year’s Eve saw flooding across Greater Manchester, with emergency services evacuating over 1,300 people across the region. The A555 saw extensive flooding.
While parts of the A555 are now reopen, authorities have advised that access to the M56 is still closed. Anyone travelling to and from Manchester Airport should still account for potential delays to their journey.
Manchester Airport is still operating as usual. However, the airport has previously told the Manchester Evening News that people should allow extra time to make sure they arrive in time for their flight.
The statement from Stockport Council on Friday night said: “The A555 is now fully open in Stockport, but there are diversions in the Cheshire East section (Handforth) and access to Manchester Airport and the M56 remains closed.”
The A555 was closed due to flooding
(Image: Getty Images)
The road closure met with some strange scenes as the highway fell quiet. This included a woman being spotted practicing yoga on the road.
More than 400 people were evacuated from Meadow Mill in Stockport after the River Tame burst its banks on New Year’s Eve. The resulting inundation saw the car park and lower floors of the converted mill flooded out.
Further weather forecasts indicate a weekend of snow, ice, and rain. Metrolink trams are scheduled to run through the night to keep the lines clear.
A woman was seen doing yoga in middle of flooded A555 near Manchester Airport
(Image: David Vaughan)
Bee Network has warned of potential disruption following flooding as well as icy conditions. TfGM’s Chief Network Officer, Danny Vaughan, said: “This weekend’s forecast of snow, ice and rain will be compounded by the recent flooding and will most likely cause disruption to journeys.
“We will be doing absolutely everything we can to minimise disruption while also bringing the remaining half of bus services into the Bee Network and under local control – which is a huge undertaking.”