East Grinstead and Uckfield MP responds to proposal for pipeline between Sussex reservoirs

The statement by Mims Davies comes after recent news reports – including one in The Times – saying that South East Water (SEW) could be preparing to lay a 13km pipeline to pump water into Ardingly Reservoir.

SEW has confirmed to Sussex World that the company is looking at implementing projects for its Drought Plan. SEW said one proposal was the possible connection of Weir Wood Reservoir to Ardingly reservoir via a pipeline.

Ms Davies said the water company had updated her team, West Sussex County Councillor Garry Wall and Mid Sussex District Councillors (MSDC) Lorraine Carvalho and Paul Brown at a ‘late notice’ meeting. Afterwards, the MP said she met with management at the Weir Wood leisure centre in Forest Row on Thursday, December 11.

She said that this meeting, which took place in the refurbished cafe and water sports facility, was ‘about the likely impact on users of the water and the possible effect of the significant pipe, which will, in the wider term, affect this part of my constituency’.

The MP said South East Water are looking at ‘a long term solution rather than panicked measures’ but said this would impact the leisure centre and ‘many other landowners at short notice and with very little consultation’.

She said: “It is clear due to the very low rainfall this summer, which in reality will become more frequent, and need to link the two facilities together is now important as the water is there in Weir Wood and the treatment facility is there in Ardingly. However, geography, landownership, inconvenience, and access issues are all factors that need to be consulted on and addressed as this pipe will affect the trade and access to the care and waterfront as well as the Bluebell railways, gardens, and farmland among many other issues.

“There is no doubt the community understands the drive and need for a sustainable approach to achieving this to help service for the wider public with vital drinking water. However wildlife, properties, and communities are also affected and I have requested the CEO of SE Water meet with me urgently, which he has agreed to, getting clarity directly from the company on how this will all be achieved in the most environmentally sensitive way alongside residents and businesses.”

The MP said people in the area had received a ‘bolt from the blue’, which could have a ‘substantial impact’ on SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) areas ‘among many other concerns’.

Ms Davies said: “As their local MP, I am determined to get the answers needed so water needs can be fully addressed as we know more houses are coming and harnessing our water capacity needs is truly vital and a good water quality, better customer experience for all water bill payers is crucial in this matter too.”