Floods where couple drowned 'cannot be ruled out'

Elaine and Philip Marco's car became submerged during intense rain

Future flooding at a location where a couple drowned two years ago cannot be ruled out, a water company's director has told their inquest.

Philip Marco, 77, and Elaine Marco, 76, died after their car became submerged in flash floods on Queens Drive in Liverpool following prolonged torrential rain on 26 August 2023.

Rainfall levels that night were likened to those in a "monsoon", the fourth day of their inquest at Gerard Majella Courthouse in Liverpool heard.

Mark Garth, waste water services director at United Utilities (UU), said that while measures were being put in place to reduce the frequency of flooding, the risk could not be eliminated completely.

The couple, who were well-known in south Liverpool and in the city's Jewish community, were just a few days away from their 54th wedding anniversary when the tragedy happened, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Mr Garth said there were about 2.7 million litres of floodwater on the night of their death.

He added how the bowl-like nature of the road near a bridge meant "if there was going to be flooding at any point, it would be here".

The executive detailed how the sewage network beneath Queens Drive likely predated the road.

Mr Garth said the "intense rainfall" was compounded by the bowl-like nature of the road

Mr Garth said the cost of a new sewer network to replace the Victorian-era infrastructure serving the city would cost UU between £80bn-£140bn.

He said an increased population and urban development had put further strain on the sewage network over the years.

An increased in paved driveways had reduced the amount of land into which rainwater could seep.

Drone footage showed the moment the car became visible after the floodwaters began to recede

The inquest heard that further flooding was recorded in July 2024, less than a year after the Marcos died.

Mr Garth said the fact this occurred so soon after the tragedy highlighted the need for a permanent solution to be identified.

A 60ft (18m) deep water tank is being installed near The Mystery playground in Wavertree.

The UU official said this would include a flow control device at Penny Lane. The scheme has been criticised by some residents for its impact on the park.

Mr Garth said the tanks would eventually feed water back into the sewer system following extreme rainfall events.

However, he said he could not eliminate the possibility that further flooding would occur there in future.

He estimated the likelihood of flooding would fall from once every four years to once a decade.

The inquest continues.