This morning, Gareth Davies MP met with the CEO of Anglian Water, Mark Thurston, alongside local council leaders from South Kesteven.
Following the meeting, Gareth provided the following update for local residents:
UPDATE ON ANGLIAN WATER
Earlier this week, I met with the Chief Executive of Anglian Water, Mark Thurston, to receive an update on Anglian Water’s services in our area and to raise with him the significant amount of feedback that I have received from residents.
As well as on the general service we as customers in our area receive from Anglian Water, there were a number of key issues I made sure to raise specifically at the request of residents:
Pipe Bursts
I pressed with Anglian Water that the latest series of pipe bursts were not acceptable, particularly where they have a knock on impact for other services. Most recently we have seen this in Grantham and in Bourne, where children at three Bourne schools forced to close missed a day of learning. Anglian Water set out that weather conditions are usually at fault and they have agreed to continue to do what they can to reduce the likelihood of future similar events.
Flooding
It is not acceptable that residents, businesses, and farmers have to put up with significant levels of flooding now each and every year. I have continued to make this case to every organisation and agency responsible for tackling this, from the national Government to local drainage boards.
As well as Lincolnshire County Council and the Environment Agency, Anglian Water has a significant role to play in improving our flood resilience, particularly by improving sewage and waste water systems. As many villages in our area have found in recent flooding events, such as in Rippingale, flood water often overwhelms our drainage and sewage network, causing significant and very unpleasant issues for nearby homeowners.
It is positive that Anglian Water recommitted to working alongside other responsible bodies to improve our flood resilience. I understand that work has taken place across key hot spots identified by Anglian Water to clear blockages and that they believe that this is starting to bear fruits. If your village or nearby area faces these challenges, I would welcome you to keep me updated on your experience.
Lincs Reservoir
Anglian Water’s proposed Lincs Reservoir continues to be consulted on. The next public consultation is due to take place in Spring 2026 for those living nearby and across our area. I am pleased that Anglian Water also agreed to increase engagement specifically with landowners in and around the proposed reservoir site which is something I made sure to raise following concerns I have heard at local meetings.
With the upcoming next consultation, a potential application to the Secretary of State for planning approval in the next few years, and proposed construction over the 2030s, this is something I will continue to work on alongside local residents and farmers.
