Salford councillors have raised serious concerns with water company United Utilities about flooding in Eccles after families say they are living in constant fear.
A group of Salford councillors have written calling for immediate action after multiple flooding incidents in the Peel Green area, including over the past weekend, on New Year’s Day 2025 and in 2023.
It has been suggested that the flooding is linked to issues within the United Utilities sewer infrastructure.
The issue is affecting a growing number of residents, including families and vulnerable individuals.
Councillor Mishal Saeed from Salford City Council says: “Families and vulnerable residents live in constant fear that their homes and belongings will be damaged again whenever heavy rain falls.
“It’s not just about property damage- it’s the anxiety and health risks- and the sense people are being left without clear answers.”
A United Utilities spokesperson said: “Over the next five years, we will be delivering three projects in the Eccles area that will improve the water quality in the local watercourse and reduce the risk of flooding. We understand residents’ concerns and will deliver our projects at pace, working alongside partners at Salford Council and the Environment Agency to tackle localised flooding concerns. We welcome the opportunity for dialogue with elected members to support residents now, and in the future.”
Despite mitigation efforts introduced by United Utilities in 2013, the flooding has continued, leading to mounting concerns and frustrations.
Councillor Mishal Saeed said: “Urgency is extremely high and every delay increases the risk of further damage, the risk will only grow unless United Utilities take meaningful action now.”
In their joint letter, councillors urged the company to treat this as a priority.
They wrote: “Our constituents are relying on your organisation to take responsibility and deliver results.”
The letter was signed by: Cllr Tracy Kelly, Cllr Mishal Saeed, Cllr John Walsh, Cllr Jacqui Fahy, Cllr David Lancaster and Cllr John Mullen.
Together, the councillors are demanding a detailed response from United Utilities. They requested the number of properties affected by each recent incident, confirmation that residents were informed about risks or infrastructure performance, assurance that storm tanks and other infrastructure function as intended and the details of any planned or ongoing schemes, including progress and timelines.
United Utilities have responded to the letter, and a meeting has been planned to discuss concerns. However, this is an issue that Salford Council have been raising for years. The council is now pushing for urgent action as the issues are proving to rise.
