United Utilities Restores Vast Areas of Woodland and Peatland Across the North West

United Utilities has completed extensive environmental restoration work across the North West, creating and enhancing habitats covering an area larger than 2,200 football pitches.

Since October, the water company has overseen the planting and natural regeneration of more than 50,000 trees across over 140 hectares of land in Lancashire and Cumbria. Alongside this, significant peatland restoration projects have been delivered across Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cumbria, benefiting more than 1,560 hectares of upland landscapes.

The programme forms part of wider efforts to improve biodiversity, strengthen natural flood management and enhance water quality across the region.

According to United Utilities, healthy woodlands and peatlands play a critical role in supporting both wildlife and local communities. These natural environments act as effective filtration systems, helping to improve water quality while also storing rainfall and slowing surface water runoff from surrounding hillsides.

Jim Airton, estates and land manager at United Utilities, said the restoration work delivers long-term benefits for customers as well as the wider environment.

He explained that woodlands and peatlands help capture carbon from the atmosphere, improve drainage and reduce sediment entering rivers, streams and reservoirs. These processes contribute to cleaner water sources while supporting efforts to tackle climate change.

Airton added that retaining water within the landscape for longer periods also creates more diverse habitats for plants and wildlife, while improving resilience against drought and prolonged dry conditions.

The latest environmental investment follows the company's recent announcement of a £30 million programme aimed at making Liverpool more resilient to heavy rainfall through the introduction of nature-based drainage solutions.

The initiative will see the installation of a range of blue-green infrastructure measures, including rain gardens, green roofs, urban wetlands and redesigned playgrounds capable of absorbing and storing rainfall. The approach is intended to reduce pressure on conventional drainage networks and lessen reliance on large-scale engineered storage systems.

United Utilities said both programmes demonstrate the growing role of natural solutions in addressing environmental challenges, improving water management and supporting sustainable communities across the North West.