Bootle residents slam United Utilities’ flood compensation as insulting after homes flooded in September 2024.
In September 2024, homes in Bootle flooded after United Utilities equipment failed, causing the disaster. People on Bulwer Street had to leave their houses.
Emergency crews rescued people from their flooded homes, marking the second major flood on the street in fourteen years. Many residents became homeless because of the water damage, which ruined TVs, sofas, and family keepsakes. Residents still live in temporary places after four months, waiting for home repairs to finish.
Now, residents feel insulted by the compensation initially offered, believing United Utilities is making a joke of things. United Utilities met with residents to give updates and gather feedback; the latest meeting was on February 7 at St Leonard’s.
At that meeting, United Utilities offered compensation to residents, acknowledging the problems caused by being forced from their homes in winter. Residents suffered mental and physical distress. News stories highlighted the damage caused by the floods, and Joan Porter fears more flooding after her home was destroyed, noting the stress on her and her husband.
One couple, who lived on Bulwer Street for twenty-one years, feel “broken” facing a second flood. Scott Stringer and his mom were also flooded before. They lost weight, can’t sleep, and floods destroyed their home plus family items.
At the meeting, United Utilities read a statement detailing the proposed compensation package, explaining that residents moved to temporary homes would get money to make up for the trouble. The payment was based on “fairness.” They offered one thousand pounds per household, prompting shocked reactions. Some people were so insulted they asked if the company was taking the “p***.”
The representative explained that the offer was another two hundred and fifty pounds per person, resulting in one-person homes getting twelve hundred fifty pounds and four people receiving two thousand pounds total. People disliked the offer with one person calling the £1000 offer insulting. People asked if the company considered health impacts at all.
Another person called it disgusting and a “smack in the face,” stressing that it was not just about things being damaged. Homes suffered, and families were torn apart. United Utilities will consider the feedback given by residents, who made their feelings very clear about the initial offer.
A United Utilities person said, “We know it’s been hard,” stating that the priority is meeting individual needs. This includes dealing with claims quickly, they declared, adding that claims are discussed individually due to differing circumstances. They attend public meetings to provide updates, with the aim of helping people return home as soon as possible.