In October 2025, my office was contacted by residents in Cheetham, who had long suffered from unresolved suspected subsidence concerns, collapsing fencing, unstable paving on their properties, and fears for the safety of children playing in their gardens. Despite repeated reports being made to third parties, residents felt their concerns were not being addressed, and they submitted a collective petition requesting urgent action.

After raising the matter directly with Your Housing Group (“YHG”) and pushing for a coordinated response, significant progress has now been secured through Your Housing Group working alongside United Utilities and Manchester City Council.

Following my immediate intervention, YHG arranged a joint visit with their drainage contractors to investigate possible causes, including a suspected underground watercourse. A camera survey was commissioned immediately, and a potential issue with a damaged drainage pipe was identified.

Further inspections uncovered a blocked and long-buried drainage chamber, which had been restricting water flow for years. Working alongside United Utilities, YHG arranged for the blockage to be cleared, pumped away excess water, and confirmed that an underground stream is now running correctly through the drainage system—an important step towards stabilising the ground.

YHG has also begun clearing overgrown land behind residents’ gardens, with tree specialists scheduled to complete further work. Once clearance is finished, they will carry out a full inspection of the retaining wall and plan any required repairs. YHG has committed to visiting every affected property to assess remaining issues with fencing, paving, and garden safety.

While no structural subsidence has yet been identified, YHG has assured my office that they remain fully engaged and will continue working through the list of affected homes. I will keep monitoring progress closely to ensure all necessary works are completed and residents can have confidence that the local environment is maintained safely and allows them to enjoy their outdoor space – which is so crucial in an urban area.

This is a win for my constituents who have been trying to seek a resolution to these issues for too long, and I commend them for their perseverance. It also serves as a great example of what can be achieved when communities, their MPs and third parties work together.

If I can help you and your community with an issue affecting you individually or collectively, please do not hesitate to contact me, lucy.powell.mp@parliament.uk.