MP HENDRY WARNS ON WATER
Wealden's MP Charles Hendry has this week warned that the Deputy Prime Minister's housing plans for the south east could pose a serious threat to current residents' water supplies.
After Southern Water recently announced that local water resources are depleted, the MP proclaimed the volume of houses John Prescott wants to build in the region will place yet further strain on water supplies.
Between November 2005 and April this year, the South received little more than half the normal amount of rainfall normally expected for the time of year, making it the second driest winter period since 1904. The low rainfall has left water resources well below average for the time of year.
The Deputy Prime Minister has set development plans for 800,000 new homes across the south east over the next 10 years.
Mr Hendry comments: "There are significant problems already being caused by the current water shortages within our region. Southern Water have already made clear that they may need to bring in hose pipe bans in parts of the region as well.
"Forcing so many new homes upon the South-East will require yet more water resource, but new reservoirs cannot possibly be built before the houses, which John Prescott is demanding, are built. That will make the water situation a problem every year and would be disastrous for local residents.
"What is even more worrying is that it is not just the water supply that this level of development will impact upon. It will place massive pressure upon the rest of our infrastructure, including our hospitals, surgeries, schools and transport system. I simply do not see how this will be sustainable, and the Government has to rethink its plans and consider their effect upon our region."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Lewes
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 0 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -5 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South east
