Concerns raised over new Bristol Water reservoir site

People in Somerset have expressed concerns over the lack of information from Bristol Water over its plans to build a new reservoir in the county.

Land agents for the utility firm have been exploring a site in Wookey, and have also looked at Cheddar, where the company has an existing reservoir.

Reg Redmore, chairman of Wookey Parish Council, said: "We attempted to get more details from Bristol Water but were basically fobbed off."

Bristol Water has declined to comment.

Following similar complaints from residents in Axbridge in March, Bristol Water refused to release any information on the locations of the potential sites which it was investigating.

The company's website now states that sites in Axbridge, Cheddar, Clewer, Banwell and Wookey are being considered, but local residents say they want to know precisely where all these sites are.

Bristol Water said the consultancy Arup was checking whether there was enough water available from the Cheddar Springs source to fill an extra reservoir in Cheddar.

The company hopes to build a new reservoir by 2025 and carry out the preparatory work between 2010 and 2015, with construction to begin after 2016.

Bristol Water has not provided maps showing the sites it is looking at and has not said how big the reservoir will be, beyond indicating that it is expected to be similar in size to the existing Cheddar Reservoir.