BBC TO FOCUS ON LOCAL SEWAGE FLOODING PROBLEMS

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 4th Mar 2004

Cllr Chris Thomas with local resident Mick Tomkins & Chris Conabeare of BBC South

Local residents who have been having problems with sewage flooding and blocked drains will have their plight covered on BBC1's 'The Politics Show' this Sunday.

Eastleigh North Liberal Democrat Councillor, Chris Thomas, has been extensively researching and campaigning on the issue for the last few years following complaints from residents in his ward about sewage flooding. When he realised how extensive the problem was he contacted journalists at the BBC to make sure the issue received more attention.

Cllr Thomas said: "I have become increasingly aware of how widespread the problem with sewage flooding is. It is not only an issue for people living in the Borough of Eastleigh, but in many parts of Hampshire and all across the country as well. One council on its own cannot tackle these issues, and so I wanted to make sure the issue had a higher profile. The big problem has been a lack of investment by Southern Water and the priorities of OfWat, as the water companies aren't keeping up with the backlog of work that needs to be done."

On the programme, the BBC will speak to Mrs Lone Mehta of Merdon Avenue in Chandler's Ford whose garden is regularly under several inches of foul water and sewage during heavy rain and whose neighbour is having to build a mini-flood barrier. They will also show Mr Mick Tomkins of Consort Road in Eastleigh, who along with many neighbouring houses, is unable to flush his toilet and has foul water backing up in to his sinks, baths and dishwasher when the sewers are full. There will also be a discussion on the programme about the problems people are facing between Cllr Chris Thomas and representatives of the water industry.

Borough Councillor Chris Thomas and County Councillor Pam Holden-Brown, who between them have been working hard to help local residents with these issues, also ensured that the issue went to Parliament. Eastleigh MP, David Chidgey, called a special debate in Parliament to raise the problems and the lack of investment with the Environment Minister, Elliot Morley MP.

More details on the programme can be seen at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/3528705.stm