Gas explosion in Irlam

Details of the concerns raised by residents. We've also published a page about the financial help available.

Significant progress has been made in returning residents to their homes and 176 households have now returned home or been re-homed.

Salford City Council and City West Housing Trust will continue to work together to ensure that accommodation is available for anyone who needs it, both City West tenants and private residents.

City West can be contacted by their tenants on 0300 123 5522. Salford City Council can be contacted on 0161 794 4711.

The council's Housing Advice and Support service can also be contacted on issues such as insurance advice for home owners and private tenants. We are encouraging home owners or private tenants without insurance to contact this number so that we can provide help and advice. The contact number is 0161 793 2020 or 07775 950243 (out of hours).

Irlam Disaster Relief Fund

The Greater Manchester Disaster Relief Fund (which is a fund run by the Community Foundation on behalf of the ten districts of Greater Manchester) has provided a sum of money to help to cover costs directly related to the explosion. This fund will be added to by those kind contributions made by individuals or organisations who also donated. The aim is to provide help, where needed, to people in the area evacuated around Merlin Road.

Letters explaining how to make an application have been sent to people who lived in the evacuation area, both those who have now returned and people who have been temporarily accommodated or permanently re-housed.

The fund is open to applications from everyone in the evacuated area, but will be prioritised to help those who have been the most affected as well as the most in need.

The deadline for initial applications is 31 January 2011. If you need help to complete an application please contact the following for assistance:

If you are a City West tenant please call 0300 123 5522
If you are a private resident or owner occupier please call the Housing Advice and Support Service on 0161 793 2095 (8.30am to 4.30pm) or email christine.arbuckle@salford.gov.uk

Making a financial donation

Cash donations can be made to the Greater Manchester Disaster Relief Fund (managed by the Community Foundation for Greater Manchester) who have set up a fund to support those directly affected by the Irlam explosion. The fund helps to cover costs that provide immediate relief to people who have had to flee their homes due to disasters such as the recent gas explosion in Irlam.

Contributions to the fund can be made as follows:

By cheque payable to Salford City Council (Irlam) and sent to:

Salford City Council
City Treasurer c/o Geoff Topping
Unity House
Salford Civic Centre
Chorley Road
Swinton
M27 5AW

Payments can also be made direct to the council's bank account via internet banking, telephone banking or at any bank branch to:

Salford City Council General Fund Account
Sort Code: 089000
Account number: 61191259
Reference: Irlam

Donated goods

There has been a fantastic response from the public, local businesses, voluntary organisations and agencies who have donated clothing, food, toiletries and other items to assist the people affected by the explosion. Existing donations have been sorted and are available to be distributed to those who require them but we do not need further material donations.

From Monday 29 November residents can still request any of the donated items by calling the neighbourhood management team on 0161 606 6787 who will arrange an appointment.

Damaged possessions

We would like to remind people who have damaged possessions to get rid of, including the contents of fridges and freezers, that they should make a detailed list of items, regardless of whether they have household insurance or not. If possible, we would also suggest that contents are photographed, as this can be helpful if any claims are made at a later date.

Residents coffee mornings

Starting Wednesday 1 December there will be regular coffee mornings every Wednesday and Thursday between 9.00am until 12.00 noon at the Tiger Moth Pub, Tiger Moth Square. All are welcome so please come along.