Greater Manchester’s new year’s weather woes continued on Monday morning in what was set to be the first day back to normality for many. Following the Christmas holidays, commuters, pedestrians and schoolchildren were met with heavy snow, rain and freezing weather this morning (January 6).
Two Met Office weather warnings for heavy rain, snow and ice were issued for the region. Several flood alerts and warnings were also in force, and a majority of schools opted to keep their doors closed on what should be the first day back for pupils.
The schools most affected by the adverse weather were in Oldham, with the likes of Oldham College, Hopwood Hall College and Christ Church C.E. Primary School in Denshaw giving kids a day off.
Historically, Denshaw has always been one of the worst hit areas of Greater Manchester when it snows due to its unique placement above sea level and among the hills. The Manchester Evening News visited the Saddleworth village to speak to its residents and see how they were coping in what has been an eventful new year already.
Staff clearing the car park at the Grains Bar Hotel
(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)
David, who lives on the A672 in Grains Bar, which leads to Denshaw, said: “We’re usually alright here because this is a main road and the council are really good at gritting it. I was due to go see my mother but I decided there was too much traffic.
“We’re always dreading it when it snows because this road comes just off the motorway and people use it as a rat run.”
Clayton Marshall, the landlord of the Printer Arms in Denshaw, says that despite it taking almost five hours to get into work, he sees the snow as a great opportunity for his business.
Speaking to the M.E.N, he said: “It can work out for us, sometimes the whole village makes its way to the pub if the snow is low enough and the roads are clear.”
“It can work the other way too though because snow can be so thick that people can’t travel. But you’ll see kids sledding down hills and having fun on their day off. People have learned to deal with the snow around here.”
Clayton Marshall, landlord of the Printers Arms
On Buckley Drive, just off Delph Road a number of residents are hard at work shovelling snow from their drives and streets to make life easier for themselves and their neighbours.
“Whenever we see on the news that snow is forecasted it’s like ‘for God’s sake’.” Said one woman. “Denshaw has its own ecosystem so whatever the current climate is, we have it worse.
“Nowadays, snow days aren’t like they used to be since everyone works from home. In the past, if it snowed and you couldn’t come in then.”
Buckley Drive residents spent this morning shovelling snow
One resident spoke to the Manchester Evening News about how weather has blighted the start of 2025.
“If it snows then we struggle to get out of our drive and kids struggle to get to school. The council do well with gritting the main road but here it’s hard to get out of when something like this happens.
“It flooded here recently too because water runs down Delph Road. For the first time in four years my garage was flooded, the council has to look into doing something about it.”
Another resident on Buckley Drive said: “I’ve only just moved here so this is my first time dealing with this. But it’s what you expect when you’re living around here.”
Before the snow, came the rain. Some parts of Greater Manchester are still recovering from the New Year’s floods.
This morning, the Manchester Airport closed its runways this morning following snow, before reopening them at 7.15am. Meanwhile, several roads are closed due to flooding, including Woodhead Pass and the A555. The M62 had been closed eastbound from junctions 21 to 24 earlier this morning before reopening.