Fears over flooding risk

THERE are fears Manchester 'probably will flood again' before prevention work to avoid repeating the New Year's Day floods.

- By ETHAN DAVIES Local Democracy Reporting Service

Huge amounts of rainfall starting on New Year's Eve 2024 meant some rivers and canals reached their highest-ever levels on January 1, 2025, leading to widespread flooding in Didsbury, Northenden, Castlefield and Harpurhey.

The floods forced hundreds of people out of their homes and devastated businesses in the area. The total cost of flooding was between £1-2m, a new legally-required council report said.

But West Didsbury councillor John Leech believes the true scale of the financial damage was much higher, and fears Manchester could see a repeat before preventative work is completed.

"In the report the financial impact is estimated at £1-2m, but Withington Golf Club have got £1-2m of damages themselves," the Manchester Liberal Democrat leader said at a council executive meeting yesterday. "The actual costs are vastly underestimated. By doing that there's a danger the recommendation work is not prioritised and resources are not prioritised."