United Utilities has issued an update about a busy main road in Irlam that has been spouting water since the beginning of July.
Local motorists have been watching the leak on Liverpool Road with concern. Water can be seen visibly ‘bubbling out’ from a hole in the tarmac, and has gradually been causing the road to subside. Some residents claimed they had reported the issue ‘up to six times’ from July 2, but no repairs have been made.
Complex repair operation planned
United Utilities has said it is working with Salford council to organise a ‘complex’ repair operation, which has taken a number of weeks to plan.
A United Utilities spokesperson said: “We apologise for the delay in repairing this leak. We recognise concerns about the loss of water and want to reassure customers that reducing leakage is a key priority for us. Across the region, our teams are currently repairing around 1,000 leaks every week.
“Unfortunately, this repair requires complex work across both Liverpool Road and Silver Street. To minimise disruption and ensure the work can be carried out safely, we have worked with the highway authority to schedule the necessary traffic management and complete the repair this weekend.
No impact on water supplies
“Leaks are assessed according to their impact, with any affecting customer supplies treated as emergencies. As there has been no impact to customers’ water supplies, the repair has been planned in with the local authority in accordance with the standard process.”
The firm noted that the repairs will require traffic management measures on both Silver Street and Liverpool Road. The main road has also been subject to a Section 58 notice preventing it from being worked on after it was recently resurfaced by the council.
A road closure order has now been confirmed by the council from August 22, and is due to end on the following day.
