Mid Sussex MP, Nicholas Soames, has written a strong letter to the Deputy Prime Minister urging him to heed the warnings of the Water Companies over the inadequate water resources in Mid Sussex.

Mr Soames said; “Following correspondence that I received from the Operations Director of Southern Water I have written to John Prescott MP to warn him of the unsustainable pressure on the water resources in Mid Sussex. I have persistently lobbied the Deputy Prime Minister to heed the warnings not only of the Water Companies and the All Party Environmental Audit Select Committee but also of DEFRA. “

Weir Wood reservoir, near East Grinstead, which is key to the North Sussex supply area is only 52% full – it cannot be filled by pumping extra water from rivers.

Mr Soames said; “The infrastructure deficit paper prepared by Mid Sussex District Council, which I presented to the Minister for Housing and to the Chief Executive of SEERA, underlines that the Government’s housing targets for West Sussex would mean 6.75 million litres of extra water would be required for household use per day. Labour are paying lip service to their policy on sustainable development.

“I am seeking clarification of what account the Deputy Prime Minister takes of the views of the Water Companies when development plans are drawn up.”

Nicholas Soames has repeatedly questioned the Government over its definition of sustainable development through written Parliamentary questions.