Canal Flood (Circa 1999)

I'm currently scratching my head trying to fathom out when the canal 'burst it's banks' and flooded the area around the Frith Street Industrial Estate. (where B&Q now stands)

I say 'burst it's banks' but if I'm right there was a complete wotsit dropped during sewer work, as part of the drain improvement scheme in Wigan around ten years ago, which caused the flood.


At the time the canal was dammed-up near to the White Bridge to allow a new sewer pipe to be installed across the bottom of the canal from the Miry Lane estate (near the scrapyards) to where the new JJB car park now stands.

If memory serves, someone forgot that canals actually flow, hence bywashes etc. Resulting in the water rising above the bank and causing the flood.

Mr Google hasn't helped so far.

Anyone any more details?

I think one of the businesses which suffered may have been these people who deal with carpets for people restoring vehicles.

Some great photo's of the area on WW by Tony Gallagher.