By Harry Mottram: Later this August we should find out if the plans to build Cheddar Reservoir 2 will go to the next stage which according to Bristol Water will involve further consultations and then planning applications next year. As I have already voiced my opinion on the possibility that the project may not go ahead due to the cost and Andy Burnham’s desire to bring utilities under public control this report is partly an op-ed piece. My main reasons are the doubts raised over the wisdom of building a pipeline from Cheddar to Devon for the benefit of South West Water and its owner the Pennon Group. As mentioned previously Devon has plenty of rivers and lakes – and the pipeline only makes sense if it is for the owners who control water in Devon and Cornwall but only a small part of Somerset and Dorset.
A group called the Somerset Transparency Project have been posting their views online entitled CHEDDAR 2 RESERVOIR — WHAT THEY HAVEN’T TOLD YOU. (The main image is from their website.) They repeat the criticisms of the project – the huge increase in costs, the potential block by OFWAT if their sums don’t add up, and the fact a private company can go ahead with such a huge infrastructure project without a mandate from their consumers – who will ultimately have to pay. So far, I cannot find out who is behind the Somerset Transparency Project (STP) – they also campaign online on other local government issues such as accountability and are concerned about immigration – with a photo of people entering the Spanish enclave in North Africa which may give some indication of their wider politics. They are linked to The Glastonbury Ultimatum petition and a more national group called The National Residents for Civic Accountability – again neither organisation say who are behind them. However the STP do have ideas for Cheddar Reservoir and the need to improve water sustainability – drain the current one and make it deeper and to use sea water desalination plants on the coast. Neither come cheap.
I tend to go back to my original theory about the doubts over Cheddar Reservoir 2 and in particular the pipeline – The new Labour Government want utilities back under public control plus there are doubts about the run away costs of building such a pipeline and new reservoir. South West Water (they own Bristol Water) have some poor PR lately. Large scale sewage leaks in Devon’s rivers and sea – and the excessive pay of Pennon Group CEO Susan Davy with a total annual pay package of £803,000 this year. It is not hard to see why there is a large majority of the public in favour of water firms being brought under public control or nationalised – according to YouGov.
For balance the umbrella group who represent water utilities, the West Country Water and Environment state: “We are proposing to build a second reservoir which will provide around 20 million litres per day of drinking water by 2035-36 during the summer months. This is enough to supply water to approximately 100,000 people daily. A new reservoir will also help to overcome the challenges of climate change and increased water stress in the West Country. It will be supplied with water from the Cheddar Yeo and when required the River Axe. The project also involves the upgrade and construction of new associated water pipelines across the region to enable the transfer of water southwest. In addition to building service reservoirs and pumping stations along the new pipelines, we will need to increase our water treatment capacity to enable the treatment of additional water stored by the new reservoir. The development of the second reservoir will also provide opportunities to improve local wildlife habitats and create recreational and community amenities. Development of the project will be overseen by the Regulators Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development (RAPID), a partnership of the three national water regulators, Ofwat, the Environment Agency, and the Drinking Water Inspectorate. RAPID was formed to support and accelerate the development of new water supply infrastructure to meet future water needs.”
The group have info on their website with details of the costs so far – see https://www.westcountrywaterandenvironment.org/
Planning non-news
Those new to this site may not know of several other major planning stories for Axbridge. However I have no new updates on them. But for the record apart from a second reservoir next to the current one along with a new filtration centre on the Axbridge side, there are no updates on the Lidl supermarket for Upper New Road, Strongvox’s housing estate off Orchard Road or the new housing estate on the former Yogurt Factory site off the A371on Axbridge Road. The planning process can take time – plus with the Iran-USA war unresolved and its effect on the world economy – I suspect caution is one reason for the delays.
Free Bus Journeys for Children
The Government’s campaign for low bus fairs includes ‘Kids Go Free’ in the summer holidays. The main bus service from Weston-super-Mare to Wells (the First West of England 126) which passes through Axbridge is included in the scheme. The government has confirmed that, from January 2027, a fare cap will be in place at £2 for most single journeys across Somerset and England. The cap will apply to most routes in Somerset. The scheme also covers cross-county services. For example, you will be able to travel from Street to Bristol or from Yeovil to Bridport for £2. However, the free buses are for ages 5-15 – and they need to tell the driver where they are going and the driver will then issue a free ticket. Those under 11s must be with an adult.
In Somerset, 13 operators take part in the scheme:
- ATWEST
- Bakers Dolphin
- Community Transport (South West) Ltd
- FromeBus
- Libra Travel
- Mendip Community Transport
- Somerset Council
- Dartline
- Faresaver Buses
- First South West (Buses of Somerset)
- First West of England
- Hatch Green Coaches
- South West Coaches
For a full list of the buses included during August visit https://www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-travel-and-parking/bus-it-you-know-it-makes-sense/
Lemonade stall
This enterprising stall is at Mendip View Gardens in Axbridge today (2nd August) – set up to provide thirsty people with a glass of lemonade for just 50p. And I can recommend the drink – the best lemonade I’ve tasted. Parents gave their permission for the photo – and the children were very keen to market the pop-up stall.
Football News
Axbridge United have an informative FaceBook site with updates on fixtures, results and players. They’ve announced their management double act of Freddy Bell Simmonds and Dan Bushell as well as the retention of key player Scott Harman. The first team play in the Somerset County League Division 2 and their reserve team play in the Weston super Mare and District Division 2. Home games are on the Furlong on Saturdays with a 3pm KO. For more on ‘The Bridge’ visit https://axbridgeunited.com/#top
Axbridge Diary of Events
Some Axbridge dates coming up. Send Axbridge events to me and I’ll try to keep the list updated. Email: harryfmottram@gmail.com I’ll also post on my website at https://www.harrymottram.co.uk/diary/
Harry Mottram
Note: I get asked this frequently so just to repeat I write up these stories from time to time out of personal interest – all the information is in the public domain – I put it together, so it makes sense to me. I am not paid – my main job is covering Bath for Bath Voice News and ICSM of Bridgwater which is about business insolvencies. I have lived in Old Church Road for over 25 years and am married to Linda – our four children went to the local state schools. I’ve always taken an interest in local affairs having worked as a journalist in Somerset for many years. More at at www.harrymottram.co.uk and social media on X as @harrythe spiv, Facebook, Blue Sky, LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads and God knows where else!
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