CENTRAL Devon MP Mel Stride met with Chris Loughlin, CEO of the Pennon Group which has responsibility for South West Water (SWW) on Wednesday, January 10.

After touching on a handful of local issues, such as the flooding of several homes in Ashburton on January 4 and emergency work done in the autumn to a collapsed sewer in Bovey Tracey, their attention turned to the organisation’s long-term vision for 2020-2050.

This includes a mission to reduce pollution and flooding incidents "to near zero" and continuing to invest in apprenticeships.

Mr Loughlin also briefed Mr Stride on SWW’s infrastructure investment plans and success in hitting leakage reduction targets.

The year 2017 also saw SWW win IT Initiative of the Year for their work in preventing pollution.

Speaking after their meeting Mr Loughlin said: “I was delighted to meet Mel again and welcomed the opportunity of updating him on a number of company issues, including Pennon’s involvement in the Back the South West Campaign and actions from the last South West Growth summit.

"We value the good working relations we enjoy with all of our local MPs and seek to meet them regularly to discuss the company’s performance and future plans.”

Mr Stride added: “I was very encouraged to hear that tackling flooding and reducing pollution are two of the cornerstones of SWW’s future plans.

"SWW can have a big impact on lowering flood risks through sewer maintenance, for example.

"Equally important is the focus on reducing the amount of water we use as a society which will also help households save money.

"As a big supporter of apprenticeships as a way for young people to gain the skills and experience they need to embark on a successful career, I am delighted to hear SWW will continue to recruit more apprentices.”

For more information on SWW’s long-term planning visit: www.southwestwater.co.uk/vision2050 .

Alan Quick