Water bills rise by five per cent

SEVERN Trent Water customers’ bills have gone up by 4p a day, bringing the average charge for water and sewerage services to 84p a day.

Balancing out variations between metered and un-metered customers, the average Severn Trent Water bill will be £305 for 2009-10, an increase of five per cent on last year.

This company says it continues to have one of the lowest set of water charges in England and Wales, while continuing to boast one of the highest investment programmes in the industry, which will see Severn Trent spending £2.5 million each working day to improve its pipes, water treatment works and sewage treatment processes.

Martin Kane, director of customer services, said: “We are entering the final year of our five-year pricing plan for 2005-2010, which was agreed by the water industry regulator, Ofwat, in 2004.

“Our prices will go up by five per cent - or up about 4p per day - bringing our average bill to £305 for 2009-10. This still offers good value for money and allows us to continue with an extensive investment programme that will enhance the quality and reliability of our service across the region.

"In fact, as a Midlands-based company, we will be investing more than £600 million in the local economy over the next 12 months alone.

“While we have seen a price increase this year, next year will see the start of our pricing plan for 2010-2015 and we are working hard to keep bills as low as possible so that we will remain among the lowest charges in the UK.

“In the meantime, we do appreciate that everyone is tightening their belts at the moment, and we’d like to stress there is help available for our customers who may be feeling the pinch.

"As soon as you feel you are having financial difficulties please speak to us. There are many ways that you can pay your water bill and we will help you find the payment arrangement which suits you best."

For help with your water bill call 08457 500500 or visit www.stwater.co.uk

THE idea of putting British military bases around the world under EU control has come under fire from a local Euro MP.

Conservative East Midlands MEP Roger Helmer said: "I have criticised the EU's military operations as mere exercises in sticking an EU badge on our soldiers' arms. Now they want to run up the EU flag on our ships and even our overseas territories.

"There is no mention of Britain's close connections with Commonwealth countries such as Australia and Canada or of the need to revitalise the NATO alliance to meet common challenges and threats.

This has nothing to do with a genuine contribution to European security and everything to do with EU promotion of its own misplaced military ambitions."

Ashbourne News

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