Signing off

The rain has stopped - for now! - the clear up is well under way at Cheshire Oaks, affected roads like Stanney Lane, Liverpool Road and the motorways are back under way so we are going to bring our live coverage to a close. Thank you for following our live updates throughout the afternoon.

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M53 cleared

Police are now reporting that the M53 has cleared and traffic is easing northbound between J11 M56 and J7 B5132 (Overpool).

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Indoor pool

Poppy Hill has just sent us this message on Facebook: “Finally got the indoor pool I’ve always wanted!”

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Stanney Lane update

Stanney Lane between Ellesmere Port and Cheshire Oaks is now fully open. This was one of the hardest hit areas for the flooding when the heavens opened at about 3.30pm today.

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More from the police

Cheshire Constabulary are also reminding motorists to NOT drive through flood waters. The water is often deeper than it looks and it may be moving fast.

Residents in the affected areas are asked to give a thought to any elderly or disabled people living in the area. You should make contract via telephone rather than personal visits in affected areas.

There is further help and advice from Public Health England HERE if you are affected by floodwater.

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Police statement

We’ve received a statement from Cheshire Police which says there ‘currently dealing with incidents of flash flooding across the west and south of the county’.

The flooding is having a ‘major impact’ and a ‘small number of homes have been flooded’.

Thankfully, though, there are not believed to be any casualties at the current time.

Residents affected by the flooding are advised to stay indoors and move upstairs if possible. Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service will be visiting properties affected by flooding and will evacuate where necessary.

Some roads have been closed, with reports of flooding in:
• Wrenbury Road, Aston
• Walkworth Road, Ellesmere Port
• Rugby Road, Ellesmere Port
• Brancepth Court, Ellesmere Port
• A5117, Little Stanney
• Dale Barracks, Chester
• Green Lane, Audlem
• Little Dale Lane, Gorstage
• Mereside Road, Mere
• Station Road, Delamere

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Good news at last

We’re hearing that traffic is now easing - and surface water is subsiding - on the M56 eastbound between J15 M53 and J14 A5117 (Hapsford), and also on the M56 Westbound between J8 A556 (Tatton) and J9 M6 (Lymm Interchange).

Oh, and it appears to have stopped raining outside The Chronicle’s office on Sealand Road.

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'Never been so scared'

Thanks to everyone who is posting on our Facebook page about today’s deluge.

Bev Reed said: “Hideous drive through Backford and Mollington on school run.”

Cecily Fullerton-Smith added: “Just driven through it on my way to the airport. Not sure I’ve experienced anything quite like the intensity of rain before. The lightning was right over the car!!”

Margaret Stanford said: “It’s awful. Never been so scared in my life on school run.”

Remember to stay safe out there.

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Traffic problems - latest

According to the traffic website Inrix, there is slow-moving traffic across much of the Cheshire West area.

It’s ‘heavier than normal’ on the M53 northbound between J11 M56 and J7 B5132 (Overpool); there is ‘stop-start traffic’ and hazardous driving conditions due to rain and surface water on the M56 eastbound between J15 M53 and J14 A5117 (Hapsford); the traffic is ‘stop-start’ on the M56 westbound between J8 A556 (Tatton) and J9 M6 (Lymm Interchange); and there are reports of just passable and very slow traffic due to flooding on A41 Liverpool Road in both directions between A5116 Liverpool Road / A41 Moston Road (Moston Garage traffic lights, Chester) and the A5117 (Backford Cross, Ellesmere Port).

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From Facebook

Thanks to Katie Clegg for sending this pic to us via Facebook. An area all Ellesmere Port residents will know well is looking pretty badly flooded.

Flooding at the Groves in Ellesmere Port
Flooding at the Groves in Ellesmere Port (Image: Katie Clegg)
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Traffic building

Your post-work commute may take a little longer today.

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More to come?

This image shows the wave of rain which has hit North Wales and large parts of Cheshire so badly this afternoon. And it looks like there’s more to come...

Wave of rain over North Wales
(Image: netweather.tv)
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Waiting game

More from our reporter Fran at the Coliseum retail park in Ellesmere Port.

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Stay out of the water

Cheshire Police are also warning that people – especially children – should not attempt to walk through flooded areas. It may be tempting to some... but please resist the temptation.

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Sound advice

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County-wide flooding

There is flooding on Mereside Road in Knutsford where the water is approximately 18 inches deep.

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Another hour to wait

Scottish Power are isolating electrics in the units at the Coliseum, then Cheshire Fire will check them individually. It’s estimated they’ll be there another hour.

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'Several ceiling collapses'

Fireman Mark Downey has confirmed there were several ceiling collapses at the Coliseum and water leaks meant a complete evacuation of the units was implemented.

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Drivers rescued from cars

According to Fran, firefighters at the Coliseum say they had to rescue people stuck in their cars on Stanney Lane en route.

Store staff are valiantly waiting outside their shops for news of when they can go back in. Some lucky ones have hot drinks and ponchos.

Staff at Gift Company told Fran that water started leaking down the wall near the electrics and in the back room.

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Drying out

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Mopping up

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No way through

Great Sutton was hit by flooding last week... and this picture from today shows just how bad it is there now.

Flooding at the traffic lights at Holm Oak Way, Great Sutton
Flooding at the traffic lights at Holm Oak Way, Great Sutton (Image: Angela Bird)
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More shops shut

Frances Barrett tells me that Gift Company, Card Factory and JD are all victims of the flooding at the Coliseum. She can see puddles of water inside JD.

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Wrapped up against the elements

Good to see they’re keeping their spirits up!

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Advice for motorists

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Also affected

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Areas to avoid

Among the areas Cheshire Police are warning people to avoid are Little Stanney Lane, close to the Bunbury Arms pub; the A556 near Sandiway/Northwich where it’s difficult to see due to flood water; and the A529 Cheshire Street in Audlem, which is blocked between Bagley Lane and Heywood Lane due to flooding.

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Weather-beaten

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In attendance

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Closed for business

Reporter Fran Barrett says that Deichmann Shoes, River Island and The Entertainer are among some of the shops closed at the Coliseum due to the weather.

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