Burst pipe turns Trafford road into flood zone, shutting it down for weeks of repairs

A sudden torrent tore through a quiet residential street in Trafford this week, leaving homes and roads submerged in filthy floodwater and forcing a major closure that could last weeks.

On Monday afternoon, a burst mains pipe on Flixton Road in Urmston erupted without warning. By 1.30pm, what began as a leak had transformed into a deluge, spilling thousands of gallons of water into surrounding streets. Social media footage showed a violent geyser gushing from the ground before a tide of brown water surged down the road, sweeping debris along with it.

Residents scrambled to protect their homes. Armed with plungers, buckets and makeshift tools, they worked frantically to clear drains and divert the water away from front doors. Some reported that water reached thigh height in places, cutting off access and threatening properties.

Emergency services raced to the scene as the situation worsened. Greater Manchester Police quickly closed off Flixton Road and several nearby routes, including Irlam Road, to prevent drivers from risking the treacherous waters. Fire crews were also deployed, monitoring rising levels and ensuring stranded residents were safe.

The scene resembled a disaster zone more than a suburban neighbourhood. Cars were forced to turn back as torrents poured downhill, flooding junctions and pooling in driveways. Videos captured the sheer force of the water — enough to knock a person off their feet.

United Utilities, the water supplier, confirmed that the burst main was repaired later the same day. However, the company admitted that the road itself had suffered significant structural damage, meaning closure is unavoidable while teams carry out major repairs.

A spokesperson warned locals to prepare for long disruption:
“The burst on Flixton Road has been repaired, and our customers should see their water supply return to normal. But to keep the public and our staff safe while we reinstate the carriageway, road closures will remain in place. The work is likely to take a number of weeks.”

Nearby Mile Road, also affected by the flooding, was temporarily closed but is expected to reopen sooner. Smaller leaks in the area, including one in Partington, are still being tackled.

The shock flooding left residents furious and shaken. Some described the flood as an “absolute nightmare”, saying they felt abandoned as water surged towards their homes. One local said: “You don’t expect to see your street turn into a river in minutes. It was chaos.”

Experts have since warned that the incident highlights the fragility of ageing infrastructure across Greater Manchester. Burst mains, they say, are increasingly common, with consequences ranging from water shortages to catastrophic flooding such as this.

The chaos adds to weeks of weather-related disruption across the region. Only days earlier, firefighters rescued motorists trapped in cars as heavy rain caused widespread flash flooding. Roads were left under water, trains delayed, and communities reeling from repeated bouts of chaos.

Now, with Flixton Road cordoned off indefinitely, residents and commuters face weeks of diversions and disruption. Businesses in the area also fear a drop in trade as customers struggle to access shops and services.

United Utilities has pledged to work “quickly and safely” to repair the damaged road and restore normality, but for those caught up in Monday’s flood, the memory of the sudden, violent torrent will not fade easily.

As one shaken resident put it: “It felt like something out of a disaster film. One moment the road was normal, the next it was a river. We’ll be living with this mess for weeks.”