Is Greater Manchester serious about Water Safety?
Emergency Throwline signage at Salford Quays.
With increased numbers of fatal water incidents across Greater Manchester, I assess whether or not the local authorities are committed to raising awareness.
It is no secret that each year, Greater Manchester sees its fair share of open water related incidents. Too many times, we have been exposed to the same kinds of tragic losses in our water, in our communities and too many times we have heard the same commitment from authorities to make these water sites safer.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) have attended 23 fatal water incidents between April 2024 and 17th June 2025. With the number of incidents rising this year, compared to last.
There have been a total of 65 fatal incidents since 2020.
Jim Bridge, chair of Greater Manchester’s Water Safety Strategic Partnership, said that they are “committed to educating our communities about water safety as we strive towards a future without drowning.”
Clifton Country Park, on site back from that tragic day in July 2020, people are still seen to be ignoring the warning signs and dangers of open water. Despite that story circulating all over the local media and accompanied by warning signs, people still make access to this site each day and enjoy their activities in what they believe to be a safe environment. It raises the serious question of should the authorities be doing more, or is there anything more that can be done?
Warning signs at Clifton Country Park, before you head down to the River Irwell ‘beach’.
The fencing was one of the biggest issues when I was down on site. Parts of the barbed wire were missing, leading to a clearly maintained pathway that provides easy access to this dangerous site. All over, signs from the local council and United Utilities, warning people of the dangers. The signage, despite being branded by Salford City Council, is in the Bolton Council jurisdiction and owned by United Utilities.
A Salford City Council spokesperson said:
“This gate and fence and the land it leads to is owned by United Utilities (UU), whose Bolton Waste Water Treatment Works are nearby. UU have repaired the fence and gate previously. The land – which is in the Bolton Council area - includes the River Irwell ‘beach’ which has been used by people during hot weather.”
The River Irwell ‘beach’.
United Utilities have been contacted by Salford Council regarding the fencing issue and they have advised them to fix the issues as a matter of ‘urgency’.
With the fencing now being broken for a second time, I contacted United Utilities and asked them if they should be doing more with their boundary to make it less accessible and so they don't have to keep getting it repaired, however I didn’t receive a reply.
Broken fencing that blocks access to the River Irwell ‘beach’ area.
Salford Council say they are committed to raising awareness about open water safety.
Councillor Barbara Bentham, Lead Member for Neighbourhoods, Environment and Community Safety at Salford City Council said:
“Salford City Council is committed to raising awareness about the dangers of open water swimming and ensuring the safety of individuals visiting parks and open spaces where water bodies are located.
“As an active member of the Greater Manchester Water Safety Partnership, we work closely with key partners, including Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), and ROSPA, to inform and enhance our water safety practices.”
Unauthorised swimming in Salford Quays is something that has been an issue for a number of years. Some of those fatal incidents mentioned have been those of people getting into difficulty at Salford Quays while swimming. Again, signage is displayed all around.
Open water at Salford Quays where people sometimes swim.
Councillor Barbara Bentham continues her statement by saying:
“An extensive partnership action plan is in place to address unauthorised swimming at Salford Quays, a location that attracts a high number of visitors and features expansive water areas. As well as the Quays, we are currently collaborating with the fire service to review recent risk assessments conducted across all water spaces in the city.”
It is clear that the correct policies are in place - something that will come as a relief to residents. Since I contacted Salford Council, United Utilities have been out and fixed the fencing at Clifton Country Park. A clear message that they are taking open water safety seriously and putting more confidence in local communities. There is absolutely no question that this will be an ongoing issue and that the casualties and fatalities most likely won’t go to zero - the question is, will these new actions be enough and how long will it be before this fencing is broken yet again?
Repaired fencing blocking access down to the River Irwell ‘beach’ area.
More information about water safety from GMFRS can be found here.
If you or anyone else gets in danger in open water, always call 999 and ask for the Fire Service.
