Skelmersdale sufferes as torrential rain hits West Lancs

Sep 27 2012 by Jamie Bowman, Skelmersdale Advertiser

TORRENTIAL rain resulted in two days of floods and travel chaos as downpours battered West Lancashire.

The bad weather, which began on Monday, resulted in a number of roads becoming flooded with areas of Scarisbrick, Westhead and Halsall all badly affected.

Homes and roads were flooded across Skelmersdale after the two-day deluge, with Bone Island in Skelmersdale town centre having to be blocked off by police after drains failed to cope with the freak weather.

One property in Fairstead was also flooded, as some reports claimed a month’s worth of rain fell in just two days.

Cllr Martin Forshaw, portfolio holder for planning and technical services at West Lancs Borough Council, said: “The weather this week has been particularly severe and the very heavy rain has caused problems for many residents.

“We appreciate the difficulties that many residents are facing and urge people to be aware of the dangers of flooding, how they can try to protect their properties and what they should do if they are affected.”

West Lancs Borough Council is also advising residents that refuse and recycling collections will be disrupted in some parts of the borough.

Steve Moore, regional director for the North West Environment Agency, said: “We strongly urge people to sign up to flood warnings, keep a close eye on local weather forecasts and be prepared for the possibility of flooding.”