Residents and visitors to Fylde’s beautiful coastline can look forward to cleaner bathing waters following a landmark agreement between Fylde Council and United Utilities that will see major new infrastructure installed near Lytham Pumping Station.
The Council has agreed to sell a long-unused piece of land at Graving Dock Road to United Utilities for £35,000, enabling the water company to construct three stormwater storage tanks that will hold approximately 14,000 cubic metres of excess rainwater during heavy rainfall. This vital investment forms part of United Utilities’ ambitious Better Rivers, Better Northwest programme, designed to dramatically reduce storm overflow spills that can affect water quality.
The land, which has sat unused for years due to being landlocked and contaminated from its former use as a household waste landfill site, will be transformed into a crucial piece of environmental infrastructure. United Utilities is not only purchasing the site, but also investing significantly in clearing Japanese Knotweed, removing contaminated material and completing all necessary groundworks.
Councillor Thomas Threlfall, Lead Member for Environment, said: “I am pleased to see United Utilities focusing on improving surface water management in Fylde. This fantastic partnership demonstrates how we can turn unused Council assets into real benefits for our community. By releasing this site, we’re enabling vital infrastructure that will protect our precious bathing waters for generations to come.
“Cleaner beaches mean healthier environments for our families to enjoy and a more attractive coastline for the thousands of visitors who contribute to our local economy.”
Work has already begun on site preparation, with the new storage tanks expected to make a real difference to water quality once operational. This project represents another step forward in Fylde Council’s commitment to protecting and enhancing the natural environment that makes our borough such a special place to live and visit.
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