Southern Water Pledges Flooding And Sewage Improvements For Bembridge

Southern Water has pledged to introduce both short and long-term measures to tackle flooding at Bembridge Point, while also committing to reducing storm overflow discharges and holding a public meeting with residents.

The commitments were outlined in a list of actions from Southern Water Chief Executive Lawrence Gosden, which was shared by Bembridge councillor Mark Rochell during a meeting of Bembridge Parish Council last week.

Among the priorities listed are immediate action to reduce flooding risks affecting customers in Bembridge, greater engagement with local residents and the development of a permanent solution for the area that does not involve repairing the combined sewer overflow (CSO) at Bembridge Point.

The proposed repair of the outfall pipe was put on hold earlier this year after strong opposition from residents, including a protest attended by more than 100 people.

Campaigners raised concerns that the scheme could result in more sewage entering the sea off Bembridge.

Addressing the parish council, Cllr Rochell said Southern Water had now made clear, measurable commitments with timescales that it would have to be held accountable for.

He said:

"He has given the whole of the council commitments to the Island.

"They're not a commitment to do better – they are quantifiable commitments with timeframes that we have to hold them to."

Following the meeting, Cllr Rochell welcomed the commitments but said the company must now deliver on its promises.

He said:

"The big if is if they follow through with these things, it's a great start. It's a massive improvement on what they've done in the past.

"But now they need to start actually delivering.

"If we're here this time next year and they haven't done any of those three things, then we're back to there's no confidence at all in you, we can't work with you anymore."

The councillor also described the previous plans for the Bembridge Point combined sewer overflow as a "terrible" episode and said everything possible should be done to prevent sewage entering the sea, highlighting the area's seagrass habitats and protected marine wildlife.

He added that he has remained in regular contact with Southern Water's chief executive and senior team, continuing to press the company for updates and progress.

Earlier this year, the Isle of Wight Council debated a motion expressing no confidence in aspects of Southern Water's performance.

Although the motion was ultimately rejected, it followed a petition signed by more than 3,300 people calling for action over repeated sewage pollution, environmental damage and what campaigners described as a lack of accountability.

Southern Water has been approached for comment.