'Sheer volume of rainfall in such a short space of time overwhelmed the drainage systems'

HIGHWAYS crews were called to more than 50 flooding incidents as the city’s drainage system was left ‘overwhelmed’ by a heavy downpour.

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Roads across Stoke-on-Trent were left submerged following a significant downpour on Friday afternoon.

Motorists reported some routes being impassable while the extreme conditions sent the Potteries into rush-hour gridlock.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council has confirmed that as of 10pm on Friday night its highways teams had been to ‘at least’ 52 incidents as they worked to fix scores of problems.