Mims Davies MP shares DEFRA response regarding Ardingly Reservoir and Balcombe Oil Exploration.
Mims recently spoke in the House of Commons regarding water scarcity and the trouble happening at Weir Wood and Ardingly Reservoirs in our constituency of East Grinstead, Uckfield, and the villages.
Water scarcity is an issue Mims has received a lot of correspondence on since the Summer from constituents sharing their deep concerns and worries about the escalating water supply issues impacting EGU.
It is now very clear the worryingly low levels of rainfall we have been experiencing are becoming more frequent and Mims has met, and talked, to South East Water (SEW) many times about this issue to make sure her constituents concerns are being heard and measures are being put in place to address them.
While it is true Weir Wood is full of water, their treatment centre has been out of service for several years and the plan to connect the two reservoirs faces the challenge of multiple landowners and compulsory purchases, pumping uphill amid uneven terrain with precious ancient woodlands to protect if possible.
Mims Davies MP said:
On behalf of my constituents of EGU, I wrote to the Secretaries of State for DEFRA and the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero on the 17th of October regarding water shortages in our constituency.
In the letter, I also raised serious, on-going concerns about Angus Energy’s speculative oil exploration as well in Balcombe as a potential contamination risk to Ardingly Reservoir – the River Ouse in close proximity, along with smaller streams & tributaries only metres from this site, feeds into our water supply system.
Regarding the proposed plans for Weirwood reservoir, I have requested the CEO of South East Water meet with me urgently to provide clarity on how this will all be achieved in the most environmentally sensitive way alongside mitigating the impact on residents and businesses who have had this bolt from the blue thrust upon them.
We know this will have a substantial impact on SSI areas and homes among many other concerns.
I am very pleased he has agreed to an on-site meeting with the Senior Leadership at SE Water which has been arranged for very early in the New Year. I will keep my constituents updated.
I am still waiting to hear from the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero regarding the risks to Ardingly Reservoir and as your local MP, I am determined to get the answers needed so our water needs can be fully addressed.
