Alison Griffiths, Member of Parliament for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, has published her letter to Lawrence Gosden, CEO of Southern Water, following the announcement from Ofwat, the water regulator, to increase water bills.
I am writing on behalf of my constituents in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, concerning the final determination of OFWAT’s 2024 Price Review, and the implications for customers of Southern Water in this area.
The determination will lead to an 53% increase in bills for households in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton. Many constituents have contacted me to express their concern about this increase, at a time when so many feel financially strained.
Tackling sewage discharges and addressing flooding were key priorities in my election campaign, and Southern Water has a central role in delivering progress against these. It is vital that we work together to achieve deliverable, measurable improvements.
I recognise the critical need for significant capital investment to improve our water infrastructure, and that such investment must be drawn from a combination of consumer bills and inward investment. Nevertheless, residents have told me they are anxious as to whether these financial resources will be used effectively by Southern Water to mitigate the challenges we face locally.
At the end of last month, the Environment Agency published their 2024 Bathing Water classifications.
This update outlined declines in the water quality of Bognor Regis East from ‘Good’ to ‘Sufficient,’ while Bognor Regis (Aldwick) remained ‘Poor’ for the third consecutive year. Given these disappointing results and the clear inadequacy of our bathing waters in these locations, it is unsurprising that constituents feel aggrieved by the prospect of paying higher water bills.
Therefore, I am writing to you to request that Southern Water provides a clear and detailed roadmap, outlining how the funds generated by this week’s announcement will directly benefit our area.
This roadmap should specify the improvements planned, and the timelines for their commencement and completion. Impact assessments need to detail their anticipated effect in reducing sewage discharges and flooding, particularly in Bognor Regis East and Aldwick. Transparency on these issues may help to allay some of the concern residents have about their bill increases.
Restoring public trust in the water industry is of critical importance. This week’s announcement provides an opportunity for Southern Water to demonstrate its commitment to accountability and clear communication.
The challenges facing our community are well-documented: we need decisive, actionable plans to improve water quality, reduce flooding events, and address the use of storm overflows. Residents deserve to know how their increased bills will deliver better water quality and provide tangible improvements to our bathing waters.
I look forward to your response, and to receiving an outline of the steps Southern Water will take to address these critical issues.
