Power Cuts and No Running Water Cause Concern

Residents in Nettleham, Welton and Scampton were without a water supply for several hours last night, with intermittent power cuts also affecting the area, the Lincolnshire Echo reports. 

Anglian Water informed residents that the cuts, which struck local villages around six o'clock last night, following a brief interruption in the power supply, were caused by a pump that had failed in the area.

Mrs. Karen Falloon, noticed the cuts when she returned from work in Lincoln. She said:

“I got back from work and I noticed that the phone had reset.

“My husband then told me that the power had cut for five minutes. An hour after the cut I noticed that the cold water had stopped running, and it didn’t start until eleven thirty.”

“It can cause sanitary issues. Almost half of Nettleham’s residents are retired people, which is the biggest problem.”

Another local, described how she got into a bath of scolding water, due to being unaware that she was without cold water. She said: 

“I suffer from a bad back so I usually have a warm bath in the evening. 

“Last night I took my pills and there was no cold water, I didn’t realise until I got in. It was also a lot of water that’s gone to waste.”

She praised Anglian Water for providing advice and contacting affected residents in the area to inform them of the problem. She added:

“I received a call from Anglian Water to say that the cause was a broken pump and that it would be back by 11.30pm. 

“Anglian Water were very good in dealing with it. I checked with my next door neighbour and they were also contacted.”

West Lindsey District Councillor, Cllr. Giles McNeill said:

“Since the developments in the area, there have been a few power cuts. You’d expect the infrastructure to be more resilient. 

“I don’t want it to have to happen again as it is quite worrying when you don’t have a running supply of water for a few hours. 

“I represent a lot of the elderly and the vulnerable in the village and to be without power and water can cause great anxiety. We need our utilities to be resilient, robust and reliable.”

Local MP Welcomes RAF Scampton News

Edward Leigh MP applauded the decision by the Minitry of Defence to station the Red Arrows and the RAF’s Air Surveillance and Control System (ASACS) unit at RAF Scampton for the foreseeable future. This will include resurfacing the runway at RAF Scampton. Mr. Leigh said:

"I have just been informed by the Minister that they intend to keep RAF Scampton open. This is a vindication of our long campaign and a credit to all those who have worked so hard to keep RAF Scampton open. The Red Arrows are a treasured part of North Lincolnshire and I welcome their continued presence. The MoD’s investment in RAF Scampton’s runway demonstrates a welcome commitment to the future of the base. It is appropriate that the decision to keep open the historic home of 617 Squadron, the Dambusters, comes in the month which a lasting memorial will finally be opened to the brave men of bomber command, many of whom flew from bases in Lincolnshire. 

"It is fantastic news that we will keep all the jobs associated not only with the Red Arrows, but also with the ASACS unit, within the local area. 

"I have always been clear on my desire to keep the Red Arrows flying out of the home of the Dambusters and I welcome the MoD’s vote of confidence in North Lincolnshire."

Edward Leigh has been running a campaign to keep RAF Scampton open since the closure of the base was first proposed – triggered by the cost of runway resurfacing.

United in Condolence for Red Arrows Pilot

Edward Leigh MP offered his condolences to the family and relatives of the RAF pilot killed in the Red Arrows during Prime Minister’s Questions today. Mr. Leigh, whose constituency includes RAF Scampton, asked

"In joining me in giving our condolences to the relatives of the Red Arrows pilot killed at RAF Scampton yesterday, will the Prime Minister acknowledge the overriding need for safety, and that our campaign to save RAF Scampton from closure is not just based on sentiment for the historic home of the Dambusters but on the overriding need for the kind of safe, uncluttered skies above north Lincolnshire which the Red Arrows need to practice safely."

The Prime Minister, David Cameron responded: 

"I’m sure the hearts of everyone in this House go out to the family of the pilot who was killed in this terrible accident. It comes on top of a second accident that happened in the Red Arrows and this has obviously been a very tragic time for something the whole country reveres and loves."

The Prime Minister said he knows the Red Arrows consider their Lincolnshire home 'extremely important' and added that 'we must get to the bottom of what happened'.

Edward Leigh has campaigned for the Ministry of Defence to state its intention of keeping RAF Scampton open, especially as home to the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, known as the Red Arrows. Mr. Leigh has met with MOD ministers and written several letters putting the case for the base’s continued usefulness as part of Britain’s defence community and a large contributor to the local economy.

Cllr. Roger Patterson, Conservative (Scampton Ward) said: 

"I am very sorry to hear about the death of Flt Lt Shaun Cummings, of the Red Arrows. 

"Coming so soon after the tragic loss of Flt Lt John Egging it has really it the community of Scampton Hard. 

"Sometimes the things you take for granted are appreciated more when tragedy strikes and right now the community at Scampton realise how blessed we are to have The Red Arrows as part of our community, and we stand resolutely behind the team and all our brave servicemen and woman at Raf Scampton. 

"We are steadfast in our belief that The Red Arrows must fly again as soon as possible and continue to bring joy to the millions of people around the world who hold them in such high esteem and that they continue for many more years and that they do this from Raf Scampton because we as a community are proud that they are based here. 

"My sincere condolences go out to his family, friends and his team mates at such a tragic time."

Lib Dems Show No Respect For Duty or Local Residents

Last year, one of West Lindsey's district councillors, Cllr. Peter Heath, Liberal Democrat (Scampton Ward), resigned.

He resigned in such away that it guaranteed that local residents would have no representation at West Lindsey for half of the year.

Stepping down on Thursday, 5th November 2009, meant that it was too close to the local government elections, scheduled for Thursday, 6th May 2010, so a by-election would not be held. So the residents of Aisthorpe, Brattleby, Cammeringham, Fillingham, Glentworth, Ingham, Scampton and Thorpe-In-The-Fallows have been left without a Councillor for six months.

Local residents have been rightly annoyed. Those applying for Planning Permission, for example, who would normally turn to their district councillor, if they had questions or issues that needed resolving, have had to struggle on.

Residents across the district are dismayed at the disrespectful way that Liberal Democrats treat their offices and duty to local people.

One Liberal Democrat District Councillor is known to be on a four month cruise, and has been holidaying since January, although council workers have been embargoed from discussing the matter publicly.