MP has no confidence in SWW after sewage spills

David Reed MP said two sewage spills since he was elected in July showed there was a "real failing in the infrastructure"

Sewage spills in Exmouth have had a negative impact on tourism and local businesses, the town's new MP has said.

David Reed, MP for Exmouth and Exeter East, said two sewage spills since he was elected in July showed there was a "real failing in the infrastructure" across his constituency.

Mr Reed said he had "no confidence" in South West Water (SWW) and highlighted it has "affected businesses and tourism."

The BBC has contacted SWW for comment.

Mr Reed met with the water company's boss Susan Davy on Wednesday and said the firm understood the "magnitude of the issue".

“I’ll be completely honest from what I have seen and what I have seen since I have been elected, I do not have confidence at the moment," he said.

'Action now'

Mr Reed said: "I do believe that they do have the right intentions and having spoken to them today they understand the magnitude of the issue, the anger that is felt in the community and they are willing to resolve that as quickly as possible.

“The proof is always in the pudding with these things and words only go so far."

He said he wanted to see "action now".

Mr Redd said: "You only have to go down to Exmouth seafront and see how few people there are on such a beautiful August day.

"If you know that stuff's floating around in the water and you're coming down on holiday, you're probably going to avoid there."

Ahead of the meeting he warned any solution was "not going to happen overnight and we need to bring people together".