A pathway in Stockport has been flooded for four months and residents say it now has dead rats floating in the water.
The cut-through, running alongside the railway line between Moscrow Road East and Booth Street, in Edgeley, has been filled with dirty water following the bad weather this summer.
Those with mobility problems have said they are unable to use the route and are forced to walk a 30 minute journey around the nearby housing estate to get into Stockport centre.
Neighbours said they have complained to Stockport Council several times but the flood water has not been cleared.
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In response, the council have said there are plans in place to upgrade the path and contractors are due to carry out emergency repairs.
It is understood to have been caused by tarmac being placed in an area covered by grass which previously soaked up the flood water.
Dom Robinson, who lives in the area and writes a blog, said: "A vital pathway, by the railway in Edgeley – not far from the Stockport County football ground, has been unavailable to many residents for several weeks, unless you’re able-bodied and wishing to walk through with wellies, or don’t mind having wet feet all day.
"The only solution to them, at present, is a 20-minute detour, literally all around the houses, since the nearest alternative is impassable if you’re in a wheelchair or mobility scooter as you must negotiate a very steep incline and decline either side of the reservoir.
"And in the meantime, even if they did try to go down that pathway, then it’s also impassable due to the bricks that others have used as a ‘stepping stone’ situation to get across the water – but of course, one wrong step and you have wet feet."
He added that dead rodents have since appeared in the water.
A spokesman for Stockport Council said: "We appreciate the path between Moscow Road East and Booth Street is in a poor condition and there are plans to upgrade the path as part of the development plans for the adjacent site, off Booth Street.
“We will arrange for our contractors to carry out emergency repair works in a bid to ease the immediate issue.”
