Anger in Blackpool as beaches remain closed due to sewage leak
Blackpool businesses and residents are furious at continued advice that the resort’s beaches are dangerous and even infected by the deadly E-coli.
A public meeting has been called by a group Blackpool and the Fylde Coast Sea Users United Against Raw Sewage in Our Seas, who will meet on Wednesday (June 28) at Mary’s Shell Cafe, North Promenade, Thornton-Cleveleys.
Three United Utilities officials are due to attend the meeting.
Blackpool Council leader Lynn Williams told the BBC the “incredibly disappointing” situation was “really worrying” and the government should “hold United Utilities to account”.
“It’s an appalling state of affairs,” she said.
“People are fed up with this. There needs to legally-binding targets.”
The Environment Agency is carrying out a detailed investigation into how waste water has polluted the Fylde coast in Lancashire, just as Blackpool readies itself for the holiday season.
A statement from United Utilities said it was carrying out urgent repair work to the pipe which carries water after it has been treated and cleaned from Fleetwood wastewater treatment works to the sea.
It added: “The treatment works is currently running at a reduced rate while engineers plan and carry out the repair work to the pipe which lies nine metres (30ft) underground.
“Due to the location and complexity of the repair and to ensure the work is carried out safely, this is expected to take some time while engineers install temporary pumps and 2,000 metres (6,560ft) of overland pipework.”
The Environment Agency said: “We are continuing to regularly monitor water quality along the coast to help inform decisions about when the current advice against swimming can be removed.
“Polluting our seas and rivers is unacceptable and we are carrying out a detailed investigation into this incident along the Fylde Coast.”
On releasing its results in May this year United Utilities acknowledged the issue of storm overflows and the need to upgrade the whole system.
Louise Beardmore, the new chief executive, said: “I understand and share concerns about the use of storm overflows and I am committed to respond to the challenges we face.
“We have already achieved a 39% reduction in reported activations since 2020, but we need to go faster and drive a step change in performance.”
Nevertheless, United Utilities has recommended a 4.6% increase in its full-year dividend that saw £310m returned to shareholders.
