David Reed MP is quoted in this National Press article but readers should also remember his initial words which may explain why he has been so slow to react:

“It’s easy to shout loudly about how annoyed we all are with the situation, and I completely get it- I am affected in the same way. However, to see the results we deserve will take time and perseverance.“

Environment Agency considering legal action after sewage spill at Devon beach

The Environment Agency is considering legal action against South West Water after the company spilled sewage into the sea at a Devon beach.

Helena Horton www.theguardian.com 

Swimmers were told to stay out of the sea at Exmouth beach after a sewer burst on private land on Thursday next to Maer Lane wastewater treatment works.

The Environment Agency said: “As regulator, we are keeping pressure on the water company to do all it can to prevent pollution from damaging bathing water quality.

“We continue to monitor the site closely and encourage the public to check Swimfo for the latest status of bathing water quality before swimming.

“Given the seriousness of the incident, the Environment Agency is considering what legal approach to take for these pollutions on Exmouth beach.”

Clarissa Newell, regulatory manager at the Environment Agency, told BBC Radio Devon: “We are investigating and considering all enforcement options … that could be a warning, it could be the water company promises to invest in the environment they damaged or the infrastructure that caused that damage, or we go to prosecution.”

A spokesperson for South West Water said it had temporarily fixed the broken sewer pipe, adding: “We always work with all of our regulators, including the Environment Agency, and are continuing to keep them fully updated.

“We continue to work around the clock to complete this essential work. We would like to thank residents and visitors for their patience, and we are sorry for the disruption caused throughout this event.”

The company has been using tankers to transfer sewage flowing into the treatment works to reduce the spill while repairs are under way.

There have been concerns about the impact on local tourism, with reports the beach was much quieter than usual over the weekend. After the spill, yellow warning signs were erected and lifeguards used loudspeakers to warn people against going in the water.

David Reed, the Conservative MP for Exmouth and Exeter East, said: “To see Exmouth beach with so few people enjoying it on a beautiful August day is extremely depressing.

“This current event with South West Water needs to end ASAP. I’ve been clear with senior representatives from SWW that it’s their duty to provide accurate and timely updates to let locals and tourists alike know how repairs are progressing.”

Earlier this summer, businesses in the south-west reported tourism was down after the parasitic disease cryptosporidium was found in South West Water’s supply.

Dozens of people reported falling ill and people in the Brixham area had to boil their tap water for weeks until they were alerted that it was safe to drink.

Following a successful trial in Beer and Seaton, beaches in Sidmouth and Budleigh Salterton will now benefit from accessibility matting.  

Adam Manning www.exmouthjournal.co.uk

A scheme designed to improve beach access for residents and visitors with mobility issues has been extended by East Devon District Council (EDDC).

Following successful trials at Seaton and Beer beaches over the last three summers. It’s now a permanent feature all year round in Beer, and has been extended to the rest of Seaton beach.

The council’s StreetScene team has installed the new track matting at the eastern end of Seaton beach, Sidmouth Town beach and Budleigh Salterton beach.

The track matting creates a smooth path across the pebbles, making it easier for mobility scooter, wheelchair and pushchair users, and those who are unsteady on their feet, to access the beach.

Each beach has approximately 200 square metres of modular matting, which is made partly from recycled material.

The layouts vary at each location depending on user needs, the shape of the beach and the size of the flat area available.

The matting will remain in place until late September, before it is safely stored through the winter and returned next May.

The project is funded by: EDDC, Budleigh Town Council, Sidmouth Town Council, East Devon National Landscape Access for All Fund and EDDC’s sustainable tourism programme (via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund).

The project is aligned with EDDC’s Tourism Strategy which encourages growth through a commitment to quality, sustainability, accessibility and collaboration.

As a core value of the strategy, accessibility supports developments in East Devon’s tourism offer, by providing the same quality experience to visitors of all abilities and enabling everyone to enjoy the area’s outstanding natural environment.

Councillor Nick Hookway, portfolio holder for culture, leisure, sport and tourism, East Devon District Council, said: “I’m delighted to see that the beach track matting accessibility project is now being expanded. It is absolutely essential that every visitor to our seaside towns has the ability to enjoy a day on the beach”.

Plans to build more than 40 homes in a Devon village have been refused amid councillors’ concerns about failures in the sewage network.

EDDC takes action – Owl

Miles Davis www.bbc.co.uk

The 3West development company wanted to build 42 homes on fields at Lympstone.

East Devon District Council (EDDC) members said they were extremely worried the homes would be on the same sewage network as Exmouth where there have been repeated sewage leaks.

Councillors also raised concerns about the design and layout of the plans and the site being outside of a built-up area.

The beach was closed to swimmers in Exmouth on Saturday and Sunday after a sewage leak caused untreated sewage to be pumped out into the sea.

The developer 3West wanted to build 42 homes – including 14 classed as affordable – on fields on the edge of Lympstone, off Meeting Lane.

EDDC planning officers had recommended the scheme for approval.

Several members of the public spoke out against the scheme citing concerns about highways, flooding and pressure on local health and education services.

Councillors on the planning committee first voted not to approve the plans but there was then a period of confusion where they struggled to list reasons for refusal.

The meeting heard the plans would have been subject to a “Grampian condition” being put in place – a planning term which would prohibit development until a specified action has been taken, external, such as the provision of supporting infrastructure.

Following the meeting David Matthews from 3West said his firm would be considering their options going forward.

Cornish born and bred Ben Maguire, newly elected MP for Bodmin, has already met Susan Davy and pressed her for rapid improvements in North Cornwall which he lists in detail, with regular update meetings.

He will be watching progress closely.

Nothing about acting as a “bridge” to improve customer relations.

Meanwhile Exmouth’s MP has only just joined the queue, though he has been incredibly busy, see below – Owl.

Ben Maguire MP  (text of facebook post)

I had a constructive meeting with South West Water’s Chief Exec Susan Davy.  I explained the sewage scandal in our rivers and seas is unacceptable and must now be urgently addressed with actions not words. I also raised:

The need to improve their dire comms around the St Eval water shortage and reservoir repairs and the derisory £50 compensation scheme.

The urgent need to invest in storm overflows and vital infrastructure while freezing bills until our services improve.

The rising number of domestic leaks in private gardens and on public land which need addressing.

The impact of the government’s water company reforms on consumers and the need for competition in the water industry.

I pressed Susan and her team to urgently roll out these improvement works so we do not continue to see huge amounts of sewage dumped in our rivers and seas. They have agreed to work with me to ensure rapid improvements are made across North Cornwall and meet with me regularly to update on their progress so I will be watching closely.

#Progress #EndTheSewageScandal #CleanWaterNo

[Susan Davy centre, Ben Maguire on the right]

In the meantime, Exmouth’s Action Man has had more important things to do!

Radio Exe (text of facebook post]

New Exmouth and Exeter East MP David Reed joins us in the studio for the new Devoncast, talking about how the future looks for Exmouth and the Conservatives in Devon, as well as giving us a sky-diving update!

David Reed wants to act as a “bridge” between disparate groups in Exmouth that are upset with the water company, and bring them together with the firm in a bid to improve relations.

But as a companion post shows, he has been pipped to the post by LibDem MP for Bodmin, Ben Maguire, who has already held substantive talks with Susan Davy, including issuing a list of demands for improvements.

David Reed has only just joined the queue to see her.

By not acting with the urgency the situation of sewage pouring down country lanes into the sea in August demanded, Has he left it too late? – Owl

Bradley Gerrard, local democracy reporter www.radioexe.co.uk

Exmouth MP David Reed is to meet South West Water’s boss after a sewage spill stopped people going in the sea for five days.

Mr Reed has requested a meeting with the firm’s chief executive, Susan Davy, in a bid to encourage it to bring forward planned infrastructure spending.

According to its business plan, the company expects to spend £2.8 billion from 2025 to 2030 on “water quality and resilience, with a pledge to fix storm overflows at beaches and eradicate pollutions”.

But Mr Reed, elected to the new Exmouth and Exeter East constituency last month, wants it to bring some of this forward.

“This is not a new issue. It’s something that has been going on for some time and it’s not good enough,” he said.

“I’ve been an MP just over a month and there has already been two sewage spills in the town, the latest of which led to the beach being closed during the vital tourist season.

“There’s infrastructure funding there and I want to see if this can be brought forward.”

Mr Reed acknowledged that there would be “no overnight fixes” but hoped he could make progress on the issue, something he campaigned on during his year-long bid to become an MP.

He added that he wanted to act as a “bridge” between disparate groups in Exmouth that are upset with the water company, and bring them together with the firm in a bid to improve relations.

Business owners have contacted Mr Reed about the impact the spills have had, with those that rely on the water and the beach particularly hard hit.

The issue near the Maer Lane treatment plant last Wednesday prompted East Devon District Council leader Paul Arnott (Liberal Democrat, Coly Valley) to  label the incident a “historic new low” for the water and sewage firm.

“Despite multiple reassurances from South West Water that they have Exmouth under control, they simply do not,” Mr Arnott said. This incident not only impacted our residents but also the tens of thousands of tourists that visit Exmouth.

“Our officers and the Environment Agency attended the site as soon as the spill was reported and took direct action to advise residents and visitors not to bathe in the water.

“I thank them for their rapid response.”

He added that the beach had been ‘red flagged’ meaning it was deemed unsafe to use.

The issue was caused by problems at Maer Road pumping station.

South West Water said it had been “working around the clock in Exmouth” to repair the burst pipe from Maer Road pumping station at Maer Lane.

“We are pleased to say that we have now completed the temporary fix, and the pipe is up and running, and we can now begin planning the permanent repair,” a spokesperson said.

“However, tankers will remain on site as a precaution. We would like to thank residents and visitors for their patience, and we are sorry for the disruption caused throughout this event.”

It added that it continued to liaise with the Environment Agency so that it could “take the appropriate steps to protect the environment and public health”.