Community group and school benefit from Bury project

United Utilities and its contractor, Bethell, have teamed up to support a local community group and school in Bury. 

The North West’s water company is currently delivering a £15m project in Openshaw Park in the town to improve water quality in the River Irwell. 

To spread some festive cheer, United Utilities and Bethell donated two bikes to the Openshaw park bike library that is run by the BAME project in the town.  Councillor Ummrana Farooq received the bikes on behalf of the scheme. 

Quote from Cllr Ummrana Farooq “We are grateful for the generous donations of the bikes from United Utilities and Bethell.  These additions will hopefully encourage more members of the community to borrow a bike from the BAME Project bike library when it reopens in the new year.”

The organisations have also worked together to provide some educational opportunities to children at the nearby primary school, St Thomas.  Year three pupils, were taught about what United Utilities does, what not to flush down the loo and given information on the project in Openshaw Park.  They were then given the opportunity to visit the construction site .

Cathy Coupe, Third Part Coordinator at United Utilities, said: “We know that the project at Openshaw Park has caused disruption to some local users.  So we wanted to ensure we were giving back to the local community. 

“The local bike library, is a great scheme and we were delighted to be able to support it by providing them two new bikes.  It was also great to be able to work with the nearby school and see the enthusiasm the children had when learning about the work we do and visiting the site.” 

The project at Openshaw Park is set to be completed by Spring 2025 and is part of United Utilities’ wider plans to improve water quality right across the region.