United Utilities hit with nearly £1m fine for raw sewage spill on Lancashire coast

United Utilities accepted responsibility for five environmental permit offences linked to a raw sewage release along the Lancashire coastline in June 2023. Sewage escaped from pumping stations at Manchester Square, Anchorsholme and Chatsworth Avenue for over 35 hours, contaminating coastal towns such as Blackpool, Lytham St Annes, Fleetwood and Cleveleys. Preston magistrates court imposed a fine of nearly £1 million together with costs.

The Environment Agency issued a “no bathing” advisory for all eight designated bathing waters and recorded elevated E. coli levels, prompting the temporary closure of three shellfish beds. Local businesses suffered a sharp drop in summer visitor numbers, and the agency described the incident as the most serious category of pollution breach.