LIBERAL Democrat MPs, including West Devon?s John Burnett, met representatives of the consumer group Watervoice this week to discuss the threat of a big rise in water bills for Devon and Cornwall householders.
They were joined in Parliament by David Walter, who was recently selected by West Devon and Torridge Liberal Democrats as Mr Burnett?s successor as prospective parliamentary candidate.
South West Water is proposing increases which will see the average household bill increasing by 22% to more than £400 a year. The planned increases, which will take effect in April 2005 subject to the decision of the regulator Ofwat, mean that people in this area will be paying the highest bills in the country.
Mr Burnett said: ?Our water system certainly needs improving but people in the South West are being forced to take on more than their fair share of the cost.
?The area has a third of all the country?s designated beaches and bathing waters but only 3% of the population, a quarter of whom are pensionable age.?