Rushcliffe MP James Naish has raised the need to hold Severn Trent Water to account for delivering much-needed infrastructure upgrades across Rushcliffe.
Welcoming the Government’s ‘once-in-a-generation’ overhaul of the water system through a new Water White Paper published on Wednesday, 21 January, the Rushcliffe MP spoke in Parliament and said it was essential that the new regulator “had teeth” to ensure that promised investment was delivered in a timely fashion.
Following a multi-million-pound upgrade to the sewage treatment works between East and West Leake, Severn Trent Water has committed to three new pumping stations in south Rushcliffe in the current price period, 2025 to 2030. The three pumping stations are at Willoughby on the Wolds, Wysall and East Leake, where, according to The Canals & Rivers Trust, sewer storm overflows spilled 231 times for a total of 3,172 hours in 2024.
The major works in East Leake will be done in two phases. First, starting this spring, a new rising main will be installed between the current pumping station and the treatment works, and the current pumping station will be upgraded with upsized pumps. Second, a new pumping station compound will be constructed to connect to the new rising main. This will include increased storage capacity.
James Naish MP said he welcomed works being formally included and priced into Severn Trent’s current business plan, meaning delivery by 2030 – but he wanted cast-iron guarantees that this would happen in a timely fashion, and pushed the Secretary of State, Emma Reynolds, for certainty in Parliament.
The Government’s Water White Paper sets out sweeping reforms to strengthen regulation of water companies, including the replacement of Ofwat with a single new regulator and the appointment of a Chief Engineer for the first time in over 20 years. The move is designed to end what critics have described as water companies ‘marking their own homework’.
Speaking following the launch of the Water White Paper, James Naish MP said: “Like many people locally, I believe our rivers, lakes and seas must be better protected – not only for the health of our environment but for future generations. For too long, regulation has been fragmented and ineffective.”
“The decision to replace Ofwat and bring responsibilities together under a single regulator is a long-overdue step forward, and I hope it leads to real accountability for water companies serving places like Rushcliffe.”
“I will continue to work with councillors and other stakeholders locally to ensure measures are taken to reduce the risk of surface water and fluvial flooding. In south Rushcliffe, the Internal Drainage Board completed clearance works on Kingston Brook last year, which was extremely welcome, and I look forward to Severn Trent starting the next stage of its investment into south Rushcliffe’s sewage system this year.”
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said: “These are once-in-a-generation reforms for our water system – tough oversight, real accountability and no more excuses.
“Water companies will have nowhere to hide, customers will get the service they deserve, and investors will see a system built for the future. This builds on the tough action we’ve already delivered, from record investment to banning unfair bonuses.”
