News story

20th February 2001

Floods at Marsh Common

Northavon MP Steve Webb has challenged Wessex Water to “start taking seriously” the complaints of residents of Easter Compton, Marsh Common and Pilning who regularly find themselves unable to flush their toilet or use a washing machine because of the inadequacy of the sewerage system. The MP took action after attending Monday night’s public meeting at Pilning Village Hill which was chaired by Parish Council Chairman Ivor Henderson. The meeting, which was attended by over 70 people, heard from representatives of the Environment Agency, the local Drainage Board, South Gloucestershire Council and Wessex Water. There was considerable discussion of the serious flooding which had taken place in October 2000, and the Drainage Board agreed to investigate possible blockages in culverts. In addition, the meeting heard from several local residents who were repeatedly unable to use toilets or drain water away when the warning light was flashing on the local sewerage pumping station. Representatives of Wessex Water agreed that the capacity of the pumping system was inadequate but said that they could not afford the necessary upgrading for several years.

After discussions with some of the residents affected, Steve Webb said:

“I cannot believe that a company that makes such large profits as Wessex Water cannot afford something as basic as ensuring that residents can at least flush their toilets. To be told that action might be taken in 2003 is insulting to local residents who are still having to pay sewerage rates each year for a substandard service. I will now be contacting the regulator, OFWAT, to see what pressure can be brought to bear on Wessex Water to take their responsibilities seriously”.


** ENDS **