Bolton's most polluted rivers set for £138m clean-up

Bolton's most polluted rivers include Bradshaw Brook and the River Irwell

Some of a Greater Manchester town's most polluted rivers have been targeted in a water company's £138m clean-up operation.

United Utilities has started work to improve waterways in Bolton, which have seen more sewage spills than any other part of the region.

The project includes new drainage and treatment works around the River Irwell and River Tongue.

Residents welcomed the move but critics fear it is only a "sticking plaster".

Sewage overflow pipes which release wastewater are a legacy of the Victorians

United Utilities' £138m scheme for the area comes after Bolton's rivers saw raw sewage discharged more than 3,000 times in 2022.

Most of the funds have gone towards £100m improvements to the town's sewage works near Clifton Country Park, which is the second largest facility of its kind in Greater Manchester.

The investment is part of a wider proposal by the company to spend £13.7bn to clean rivers in the north-west of England.

United Utilities' Chris Borradaile said the company accepted there was "room for improvement"

Spokesman Chris Borradaile said the improvements to Bolton's sewage works would see 20% more wastewater treated.

Extra capacity at the works, set to be in place by April 2025, will help cut the number of times sewage is released from storm overflows into the River Irwell, he added.

Elsewhere, about £38m will be spent on improving storm drain capacity at three sites in Egerton, Astley Bridge and Longsight Park, with that work due to be completed by March 2025.

Jane Wilcock is a volunteer at a community group which works to improve the appearance of Harwood and Longsight Park.

Community volunteers like Jane Wilcock have welcomed the clean-up plans

"We've seen sanitary towels, wet wipes and toilet paper in Bradshaw Brook," she said.

"We're hoping that by reducing the sewage it will lead to a healthier, more vibrant river with a lot more insect life because there isn't that concentration of sewage in the water."

The River Irwell flows through Bolton and empties into the Manchester Ship Canal

Mr Borradaile said "huge" storm tanks the size of two Olympic swimming pools were being built to improve the water quality in Bradshaw Brook.

But angler Mike Duddy said the £138m investment was "nothing but a sticking plaster", and called for a different long-term approach.

Angler Mike Duddy said pressure would continue to build on the sewage system

The member of the Salford Friendly Anglers Society, which regularly fishes on the River Irwell, said the "increasing urbanisation" of Manchester was going to put more pressure on the sewage system.

"There isn't the capacity to deal with what we've got today, let alone the future.

"The long term solution is to split the sewage network and the rainwater".

Why not follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to [e-mail]