Heavy downpours on Sunday caused severe flooding in Hendon and Finchley.

Hendon Way had to be closed for nine hours, just south of the North Circular junction after the rain formed an impassable pool sixteen inches deep.

An elderly man had to be rescued by the fire brigade after his car became stuck in the middle of the pool.

The jam created traffic chaos for miles around as cars were diverted through Cricklewood. The same road was closed due to flooding just six weeks ago.

A small fountain formed in Gordon Road, Finchley, after the volume of rain forced a manhole cover off.

"Every time there is heavy rain this manhole cover gets pushed up and water gushes up and runs down the road and into the brook," said Jo Kandler, who lives in nearby Finchley Way.

A spokeswoman from Thames Water, said that it was due to 'hydraulic incapacity' in the sewage system.

This means when there is more water in the sewers than the underground pipes can cope with, pressure builds up and escapes at the lowest point in this case, the manhole in Gordon Road.

She added that water flooding the road "is preferable to bolting it the manhole cover down and causing internal damage somewhere else, maybe in someone's home.

Thames Water are carrying out a study to see what can be done to improve the sewage network in Finchley.

The fire brigade supplied a man with sandbags after water started coming over the doorstep of his bungalow in Gilda Court, Hendon, next to Five Ways Corner.

There were also a few minor accidents on the M1 in the borough caused by poor visibility. No-one was hurt.

October 24, 2001 11:57

LEIGH COLLINS