United Utilities pulls out of public meeting on Fylde coast sewage spills

United Utilities executives last night pulled out of plans to speak to a public meeting in Thornton, between Blackpool and Fleetwood, where businesses and residents were gathering to express anger at the recent sewage spills into the sea.

TheBusinessDesk.com has reported this week on the extensive civil engineering effort by the water company to fix a pipe at a plant at Fleetwood, which has caused problems in the wider waste water network.

However, in a statement to the campaign group United Against Raw Sewage in Our Seas yesterday late afternoon the company withdrew from plans for three of its executives to speak at the meeting last night.

“In recent days, we have been holding discussions with a lot of local communities and residents about the issues at the sewage treatment plant in Fleetwood. Following these discussions, we have decided to hold a series of six three-hour long drop-in sessions across the local area, to give as many local people as possible the chance to come in and ask questions about storm overflows in general, recent events and the steps we’ve taken to resolve the issue at Fleetwood.

“This programme of events will include two events in Cleveleys which will be held within the next week.

“Given our earlier discussion about trying to ensure as many people as possible get a chance to ask questions and due to the restrictions posed by tonight’s changed venue, we have decided that we will not be attending this evening’s meeting. We apologise for cancelling at short notice – but I’m sure you will agree that the key goal here is to ensure that as many local people as possible get the chance to speak directly to United Utilities and to get their questions answered.

“I know that members of your group have already been preparing questions for tonight’s event – if you wanted to forward any urgent questions to me in the meantime, we would be happy to respond to them. And we would also be delighted to welcome you and the members of your group to join other local residents at the drop-in sessions. I will send you the venue and times for those very shortly and I look forward to seeing you there.”

The meeting went ahead as planned and residents and businesses discussed campaign tactics.

Caroline Thompson from the campaign group said: “Unsurprisingly, United Utilities failed to attend the Blackpool & the Fylde Coast Sea Users Unite Against Raw Sewage in Our Seas meeting this evening.

“However, over 40 local residents turned up along with correspondents from ITV  and Good Morning Britain

“Gary Lovatt the North West Representative for Surfers Against Sewage showed us a shocking water test sample taken yesterday morning at Starr Gate and we have a smaller focus group ready to continue our efforts.”