The Greater Manchester areas most at risk from 'dangerous' heatwaves
An environmental charity, Friends of the Earth, has identified 4,715 'high heat' neighbourhoods across England, including nearly 500 in the North West, with Greater Manchester areas like Oldham, Tameside, and Stockport being particularly at risk. The analysis is based on 2022 heatwave data when temperatures exceeded 40C, leading to over 4,500 heat-related deaths. The UK is expecting a fourth heatwave this summer, with temperatures predicted to reach 34C. The report highlights enhanced risks in areas with little green space, high-density housing, older populations, and low-income residents. Friends of the Earth calls for urgent government action to address climate adaptation and protect vulnerable communities.
Greater Manchester Neighbourhoods Identified as High Risk During Heatwaves
Environmental charity Friends of the Earth has mapped neighbourhoods across England where people face the greatest danger when heatwaves strike, listing nearly 500 such areas across the North-West.
Using temperature records from summer 2022—when the mercury climbed above 40 °C—the group classifies 4,715 English neighbourhoods as “high-heat”. That year Public Health England attributed more than 4,500 deaths to heat, the largest annual total since comparable records began 35 years ago.
A separate “enhanced-risk” category is applied to places that combine high temperatures with extra vulnerability factors: little green space, a high proportion of flats, an ageing population, prevalent health conditions and indicators of low income. Across the North-West, 253 neighbourhoods meet this tougher benchmark, among them Manchester city centre, central Salford, Bolton, Bury, Oldham and Ashton-under-Lyne.
Within the region’s 500 high-heat neighbourhoods, the charity counts:
- 937 residential care or nursing homes (69 in Manchester, 65 in Stockport, 31 in Tameside)
- 107 hospitals
- 954 nurseries
The findings emerge as forecasters expect a fourth spell of very hot weather this summer, with peak values of 31 °C predicted for Greater Manchester on Tuesday, 12 August. A yellow heat-health alert has been issued for six other English regions, though not the North-West.
Friends of the Earth campaigner Denis Fernando said government adaptation plans must be strengthened:
“Heatwaves are already killing thousands and could claim more than 10,000 lives a year by 2050 unless ministers improve protection for the most exposed communities, while also cutting the carbon emissions that drive ever-hotter summers.”
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