Following Michael Gove's meeting with Thames Water on Wednesday 27th September, assurances were made by the company that appropriate compensation would be given to local community for the foul odours that residents had to endure throughout the summer.
However, the response provided by Mr James Bentley - Operations Director for Thames Valley and Home Counties - is disappointing. Thames Water will not be offering any monetary compensation to residents, nor providing community grants or funding to improve the local area, instead, as stated by Mr Bentley, simply offering "a day of staff time".
Commenting, Michael said:
"The response is incredibly disappointing. I am appalled by the offer of a day of staff labour to support a community project. This is just not good enough.
"I have immediately responded to Thames Water to ask the leadership team to think again. I have also just written to the Defra Secretary to highlight Thames Water’s failure so far to make a serious effort to address the misery that it imposed on my constituents for many months, and I will, of course, provide a further update as soon as I have any news."
Pictured, Camberley Sewage Treatment Works
