United Utilities starting work on a further three projects in Bolton

United Utilities is starting work on a further three projects in Bolton to improve the water quality of four brooks in the area. 

The North West’s water company is spending £38 million to reduce the amount of times that storm overflows operate in heavy rainfall from sites in Astley Bridge, Dunscar Bridge and Firwood industrial estate. 

A network of two storage tunnels will be built between Firwood industrial estate, Bolton Arboretum and Longsight Park.  The tunnels will be able to store more than 3500 cubic meters of storm water – which is the equivalent of nearly one and a half Olympic size swimming pools. A tunnelling machine will be used to create the huge storage tunnel and the project will improve water quality in Bradshaw Brook.

The park and arboretum will both remain open to the public throughout the construction but there will be footpath diversions and alternative access arrangements.

The project at Astley Bridge will see a 400 cubic meter storage tank built in Haywood’s Hollow.  As well as extra storage, a new screen will be fitted to the overflow to help improve the water quality in Astley Brook.

Whilst at Dunscar Bridge a 200 cubic meter storage meter tank with a screen will be built to help improve the water quality in Eagley Brook and Gale Brook. 

Work is due to be completed at all three sites by March 2025. 

It comes after the company started work on a separate project at its treatments works in Bolton to increase the capacity of the works, improve the treatment processes at the plant and reduce the time that the storm overflow operates.

As part of its draft business plan for the period 2025 – 2030, United Utilities is also proposing to invest a record £13.7 billion to deliver cleaner rivers, more reliable water supplies and extra support for customers struggling with bills in the North West.

The regulator will review the proposals and give its draft response by June 2024.  The final plans will be agreed by December 2024.