8 September 2004

Michael Howard Demands Action On Installation Of New Romney Mains Drainage

Michael Howard, Member of Parliament for Folkestone and Hythe, has urged Margaret Beckett, Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, to intervene in a disagreement between the various regulators which is holding up the installation of mains drainage for the town of New Romney.

Southern Water has encountered great difficulty in obtaining a decision over the need for a long sea outfall in connection with the provision of mains drainage for New Romney. The town has been waiting for the installation of mains drainage for very many years and residents are particularly frustrated that, just as the scheme, at long last, is nearing completion, it is being held up by a disagreement between the various regulators, principally the Environment Agency and OFWAT.

OFWAT consider that the requirement for a long sea outfall is ‘particularly poor value for money in respect of which [they] remain to be convinced of a genuine need.’ They have consequently removed the sum of nearly £10m which would be required for the long sea outfall from their draft price determination.

Mr Howard, who chaired a public meeting attended by local residents and Councillors as well as Stuart Derwent, Managing Director of Southern Water, on 27 March to discuss the proposals, said:

“New Romney residents have been waiting long enough for mains drainage. It is unacceptable that progress is being held up at this crucial stage by disagreements between the regulators. I am now calling on the Secretary of State, the Environment Agency and OFWAT to resolve this problem as a matter of the utmost urgency.”