I have launched a petition demanding that Severn Trent do not go back on pledges they made to the people of Sawley. Our area has been blighted with roadworks for years, Severn Trent pledged to resurface Sawley Road (to Breaston) and to significantly invest in our community. They have backtracked on both - please see full details below. 

Since being elected as the county councillor for Sawley I asked the Community Communications Officer from Severn Trent the below questions: 

 1. When will the work finish? All Severn Trent work was scheduled to be completed by May. Please can you update me on this?

⛔️ Severn Trent's Response - Work is ramping down but it is continuing. A new site access site is being created which means there will be a road closure between the 7th-13th July. 

2. Road Surfacing -  The road between Sawley and Breaston is in a poor state, when will this be resurfaced?

⛔️ Severn Trent's Response - We have tried to fill in potholes as we go along. We have reinstated some areas but we won't be reinstating anymore and any issues will need to be referred to DCC Highways. 

3. Muck on Draycott Road - For many months, Severn Trent Vehicles have sprayed dirt onto cars on Draycott Road. Can I please request a courtesy carwash for residents who live there? I provided her with several photos as evidence.

⛔️ Severn Trent's Response - As you are probably aware, reservoir levels are dropping and although Severn Trent have a plan to mitigate this, we need to be seen to treat water as the precious resource that it is so we are unable to clean cars. 

4. Infrastructure Project - At the roadworks public meeting that I organised on the 4th June 2024, Severn Trent pledged a significant infrastructure project eg a refurbished park. Please can you let me know more details about Severn Trent's commitment to an infrastructure project? 

⛔️ Severn Trent's Response - Our resources are limited (it's billpayers money). We did paint play equipment on Purdy Park and we are happy to volunteer again. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My Reaction? We need to challenge this as a community. 

After reading this email I realised straight away that this needs to be a big campaign to hold Severn Trent to account. What's particularly galling is to hear the excuse about 'billpayers money'. The CEO of Severn Trent received a pay package of £3.2 million in the last year (despite their being 60,000 sewage spills and a £2million fine for releasing large amounts of raw sewage into the River Trent!)

Our demand:

We call on Severn Trent to honour both pledges - resurface the road to Breaston and significantly invest in Sawley.