Liverpool flood death road reopens after safety works

The road has reopened after being closed for 173 days

A road closed for over five months after a couple died when it flooded has reopened.

Elaine and Philip Marco, aged 75 and 77, were stuck inside their car when it was submerged by flood water under a bridge on Queens Drive, Liverpool.

The road has been shut since the 26 August incident for repairs and safety improvements.

Liverpool City Council's transport cabinet member Dan Barrington said it had taken time to "get this right".

Elaine and Philip Marco were described as "devoted grandparents" by their family

Mr and Mrs Marco were pulled from their Mercedes car but pronounced dead in hospital.

They were a week away from their 54th wedding anniversary.

The road was shut between the junctions of North Mossley Hill Road and Dovedale Road while the council oversaw work to replace gullies, repair the carriageway, upgrade street lighting and install CCTV.

Liverpool councillor Richard Kemp, who represents the Penny Lane ward, said the road closure and delays in reopening had caused major traffic problems.

"I don't think that the council devised a coherent strategy at the beginning of the process or near the beginning," he said.

He added that had led to the length of time the work on the "vital" route had taken.

Mr Barrington said: "I really appreciate the frustrations and really want to thank local residents because I know its been really tough on people."

An inquest into the couple's death opened in September, when senior coroner Andre Rebello said the council, Network Rail and United Utilities needed to answer questions.

He asked for investigations into past incidents on the road, which had been flooded on several occasions.

The inquest is due to resume later this month.