The death of an elderly couple whose car drove into a flooded road has prompted calls from local residents for the council to fix a recurrent problem. Elaine and Philip Marco, who were 75 and 77, were found inside a submerged black Mercedes on Queens Drive between North Mossley Hill Road and Dovedale Road on Saturday evening. Jenna Serrano, who lives nearby, said her sons were woken up by “horrible screams” coming from outside. She added: “My boys, they heard screaming. At first, I thought it was the thunder and lightning.”
Residents in the area have complained to the council for years about the flooding problem. After complaining to the council for years, Lisa Gore said it was time they acted. “The council sent their condolences but really, they need to do something about it,” she said. Carl Cashman, a Liberal Democrat councillor for the neighbouring Church ward in Wavertree, said the road kept flooding because drainage infrastructure – some of which is more than 150 years old – was not up to standard.
One local person, who preferred not to be named, said floods in the area, and particularly on the part of the road where the couple’s car was found, were common. “It pretty much floods every time there is a downpour, but [Saturday] was the worst I have ever seen it,” she said. Serrano said she was surprised such a tragedy had not occurred sooner given the poor lighting on the road, which slopes in both directions, and heavy rain over the last week.
Cashman said Elaine and Philip Marco’s deaths were tragic and pointed to a broader problem with how public areas were maintained. “Over the last couple of days, loads of places in the north of the city have flooded but it’s not as if it’s a new issue. It has been ongoing. The public realm and Liverpool at the moment is just filthy,” he continued, explaining that due to the council’s financial situation, it is struggling to provide basic services. Liverpool city council said in a statement: “This was a tragic incident and our thoughts are with those involved and their families. The road is expected to remain closed for some time while an investigation takes place, and motorists are asked to continue to avoid the area.”
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