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As the March
newsletter went to print, Andrew attended a meeting in
London with Chris Hines and the outgoing (now gone) Chief
Executive of Southern Water and his replacement, the new
Chairman and their technical director. All but the last one
of these gents have been appointed by Southern Water's
owners Scottish Power.
It was an
interesting couple of hours with a healthy exchange of
views. They hinted that if SAS reduced public pressure for
UV and allowed them to get their planning consent, they were
prepared to talk about UV. Our response was that if they
wanted to get a move on, all they had to do was commit to UV
now and we would n't let the pressure off! They confirmed
that they are willing to put in secondary treatment all
around the coast, if they get the funding, and were willing
to talk about the possibility of UV, although they are
concerned that if they give it to Brighton, every other
community on their coast will want it as well which will
have significant impact on spending and were unsure whether
OFWAT would allow it.
LET"S
BE REALISTIC
SAS are realistic -
despite the fact Southern Water have made record profits
every year since privatisation (nearly GBP200m last year) we
realise that they could n't put UV in everywhere at once and
are willing to talk to them about phasing it in around the
coast (starting in Brighton) up to the year 2005. This is
the approach SAS took with Welsh and Wessex Water. Our
overall impression is that they may be seriously thinking of
UV, but are hamstrung by the dinosaurs who used to run (and
some who still work for) Southern Water who wasted our money
building long sea outfalls, whilst other water companies
were investing in UV and microfiltration.
Des Turner (MP for
the Portobello) raised the issue in the House of Commons on
March 31st and slammed into Southern Water's sewage
treatment practice. The government's response was to say
they are still considering the calls for them to step in and
call a public inquiry. Along with the 2 other local Labour
MPs and Lord Bassam (Leader of the Council) they visited
Michael Meacher on 20th April to ask him to step
in.
Meanwhile, Lewes DC
Environmental Health Committee have decided they want
tertiary treatment (UV). The Council was also consulted on
the planning application and the Planning Committee decided
to tell East Sussex County Council (which will decide the
planning application) to chuck it out (despite their
officers recommending that it was approved). Well done
Lewes!
CAST-ing
off
The County Council
considered the planning application on May 20th. SAS wrote
to all the councillors making the decision and took a big
part on the demo on May 16th at the Portobello. We have
joined with numerous residents' and other groups in
Saltdean, Telscombe Cliffs and Peacehaven to campaign under
the name "Campaign Against Sewage at Telscombe" (or CAST for
short). We've put forward an alternative plan - that a state
of the art sewage treatment plant should be built at
Newhaven. We've had excellent coverage in the local press
and thanks are due to all those who turned up at the
demo.
Stop
Press: The
County Council postponed their decision on the planning
application, asking Southern Water to look closely at other
sites. Watch this space.
Hold your breath and
hope for a UV announcement soon!
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