Boris Johnson asked to help as thousands without power and water in Bexhill and Battle

By Alex Watts
Published 24th Feb 2022, 09:59 BST
Updated 24th Feb 2022, 10:32 BST
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Boris Johnson has been asked to ensure there is more resilience to utility companies as thousands of people were still without power and water in Bexhill and Battle nearly a week after Storm Eunice battered the area.

Huw Merriman, Conservative MP for Bexhill and Battle, raised their plight with Mr Johnson during Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday afternoon (February 23), calling for water companies to be required to “have back up generators so the water doesn’t stop running when the power goes down”.

He also called for Local Resilience Forums to be “fit for purpose and communicate with the community they serve”. In response, the PM said: “I know how tough it is for people who have been short of power for days on end...we’re working as fast as we can with local authorities, with the electricity companies, to make sure that they get their power back, but also ensuring that we build in more resilience for the future.”

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PICTURES - Bexhill: Queue for bottled water as thousands still without water after Storm Eunice

Homes were still without water in the Battle area today (February 24). Pic: South East Water.Homes were still without water in the Battle area today (February 24). Pic: South East Water.
Homes were still without water in the Battle area today (February 24). Pic: South East Water.

Residents have been queuing for bottled water in Bexhill - and South East Water is still unable to say when the water supply will be returned. Areas still without water include Bexhill, Hooe, Ninfield, Netherfield, Battle, Whatlington and Staplecross. Water returned yesterday (February 23) to homes in Ewhurst Green, Horns Cross, Beckley, Peasmarsh, Rye Foreign, Playden and Iden. Many properties in Bexhill and Battle are still without power six days after the storm hit on Friday (February 18).

South East Water apologised to customers and said the lack of water in Bexhill and Battle and surrounding villages was caused by a lack of electricity to water pumps. “It is difficult to give a time of resolution as the power needs to be completely restored first,” a spokesperson added.