Edward Davey MP - Press releases

Issued by: Keith Reed
Embargo: Immediate, 29/09/99

"It’s time to work together on Filter Beds" - Davey

Surbiton MP writes to Thames Water Boss calling for a joint approach to site’s future

Following the stunning decision last week, that John Prescott is "minded" to reject Thames Water’s plan to build flats on the banks of the Thames in Surbiton, Edward Davey MP has written to the firm’s Chief Executive asking for a meeting to discuss the way forward. Mr. Davey believes that Thames Water now has more to gain by working with the local community to plan for a sustainable future for this environmentally-significant site.

Mr. Davey said:

"The Secretary of State’s decision may only be provisional, but since the Inspector’s report was so strongly against development on the filter beds Thames Water really have no grounds for objection.

"I believe it is now in everyone’s interests that we work together to protect the important environmental and historic nature of this site.

"I have written to Mr. Alexander, the Chief Executive of Thames Water, asking to meet him to discuss how his company could begin working with the local community to plan together the future of this site.

"I believe Thames Water has much to gain now, if they are seen to be working in the spirit of this decision and with the wishes of the people of Surbiton in mind.

"I hope I will receive a speedy and positive response.

"I would also like to pay tribute to the amazing work done by so many local campaigners. While the champagne has been kept on ice till the decision is confirmed, I do believe our hard work will have paid off. I have enjoyed working with so many local people on this, and I hope in the months and years to come, we can follow through this work to ensure that this precious piece of land can be enjoyed by the residents of Surbiton - not to mention its wildlife - for generations to come."

ENDS

Floods

Issued by: Keith Reed
Embargo: Immediate, 29/09/99

"Tell Thames if you flood – every time!" - Davey

Thames Water and Kingston Council promise swift action after MP meeting

A new action plan has been agreed to tackle problems with Kingston’s drains, following a special meeting at the Hogsmill Sewage Treatment plant called by Liberal Democrat MP, Edward Davey. The new plan was hammered out at a two and a half hour meeting attended by the MP and Liberal Democrat Grove Ward councillors Roger Hayes, Chrissie Hitchcock and Derrick Chester, Council officers and senior Thames Water managers. Mr. Davey is now urging local residents to report every flooding incident that has occurred in recent months so the new teams set up by Thames Water and the Council take the action needed. Mr. Davey has pledged to monitor progress over the coming weeks and months.

Recent severe rainstorms flooded out many Kingston residents, as the Borough’s drains failed. Concerned that urgent action was needed, Edward Davey MP contacted Thames Water with residents’ complaints. At a special meeting this Tuesday, Mr. Davey and local councillors raised every individual case brought to their attention, and discussed in detail what action was now needed, from both Thames Water and the Council.

Thames Water will this week set up a new multidisciplinary team based at their Hogsmill site to investigate the causes of every reported flooding incident, and to take appropriate action. The new team will be made up of designers and operational staff and will take whatever immediate measures are needed and are feasible to prevent reoccurrence of flooding, but will also review the longer term needs of systems that are failing. Thames Water promised the Liberal Democrat team that they would explain their actions and plans to all residents affected - in letters, at meetings and, in the worst incidents, on a case-by-case basis.

Thames Water and the Council also agreed to set up a Joint Monitoring Group, to review progress on every reported flooding incident. They promised Kingston’s MP that there would be an end to the buck-passing that had infuriated so many residents recently. Residents should report all incidents to 0645-200-800.

Commenting after the meeting, Edward Davey MP said:

"This was a positive first step but we will need to see results. There is now a plan for both immediate action and for a more strategic response. In some cases there will be no quick fix, but I will be expecting Thames to follow through on their promises, even if that means prioritising new investment projects for Kingston over other areas.

"Many people have had their lives disrupted by these floods, with cases of raw sewage flooding into people’s homes. Yet till yesterday it seemed the Council and Thames Water were not acting together for local residents.

"I would urge all local people who have been affected to report every incident - even if it was some time ago, and even if they’ve had a poor response in the past. Call 0645-200800. We are now being taken seriously, but the more information Thames and the Council receive, the more certain we will be that our community’s problems will be tackled."

Ends

Statistics White Paper

Issued by: Keith Reed
Embargo: Immediate, 19.10.99

The White Paper on Statistics

"A Charter to fiddle the figures"

Edward Davey MP, Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesman, commenting on the White Paper “Building Trust in Statistics” ahead of a Commons debate on the Office of National Statistics, said:

“Labour is revealing yet again its control freak tendencies. Jack Straw could invent even more new police officers under these proposals.

“These plans keep the control of key statistics like hospital waiting lists and crime figures in the sticky hands of Government Ministers. Far from “Building Trust in Statistics”, this White Paper should be called “Keeping It From The People”.

“The White Paper flies in the face of the recommendation from the All-Party Select Committee and from the advice from the Royal Statistical Society. It breaks the spirit of Labour’s election promise to create a truly independent statistical service.

“By sneaking out this White Paper just hours before the Common’s debate the Government have revealed how indefensible these proposals are.”

ENDS

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