Residents ask when Rishi will show up for Jeremy and Aunty Angie to visit the constituency’s sewage hotspots.
12 months on, and we are still in the poo, said Cranleigh resident Graham Aslett!
Cllr Liz Townsend, the Cranleigh Liberal Democrat and Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economic Development, thanked Libl Dem Leader Ed Davey for supporting the local battle to unseat Jeremy Hunt.
She said: I am very grateful to Liberal Democrats Leader Ed Davey, who took time to visit #Cranleigh along with Waverley Borough Council Leader Cllr Paul Follows – Godalming Central and Ockford to discuss the ongoing problems with our water and sewage network.
The visit also covered pollution levels in Cranleigh Waters and the four raw sewage discharge points in Cranleigh, which alone discharged into Cranleigh Waters for approx. Five hundred eighty-four hours last year, amounting to nearly 25 full days of sewage being dumped into this watercourse!
He was also accompanied by Dave Busby – Lib Dem councillor for Chiddingfold, who has very similar water quality issues in Chiddingfold.
Ofwat, the water regulator, plans to cut fines for sewage-dumping water companies, including Thames Water (TW), which has incensed some environmental campaigners. This means that TW may be given what is called “a recovery regime” to help it deal with its high debts. TW is on the edge of collapse after shareholders claimed it had become ‘uninvestible’ after racking up over £4m of debt.
Green campaigners, including Liberal Democrats and The Green Party, believe Ofwat is rewarding failure and is not tough enough. So, more shareholder dividends and more sewage in the backyards of Waverley residents?
Cllr Paul Follows (Lib Dem Candidate for Godalming & Ash left) is chatting with Lib Dem Leader Ed Davey and Cllr Liz Townsend at the side of Cranleigh Waters, close to homes in Elmbridge Road, where raw sewage and floodwater flowed earlier this year.
Hopefully Ed Davey will not be “misled” by the Thames Water Officials, it is of little value talking about problems. With suitable and sufficient knowledge combined with motivation the utilities crisis can be solved by the informed and motivated no matter which political party holds the parcel. Hopefully there is a consensus on the need for secure and safe water supplies and waste disposal.