NORTH Shropshire’s water provider Severn Trent has announced a multi-billion pound plan to upgrade its network amid fears customers could foot the bill for the work. 

The water company has confirmed it has submitted a £12.9 billion investment plan to regulator Ofwat for its water and sewage network, claiming it will create 7,000 new jobs between 2025 and 2030, which will have a positive lasting impact for decades to come.  

Severn Trent also states that the plan means it will invest £2,400 back into the region per household, ‘transforming the way more than four million customers are served across the Midlands’.   

Liv Garfield, chief executive officer at Severn Trent, unveiled the £12.9bn investment plans and said they were a result of ‘listening to customers’.

She said: “By 2030 we will have transformed our network to continue to provide our customers with the best service that can be relied on.  

“At the heart of this ambition is a commitment to ensure a sustainable future – from healthy rivers, to providing jobs of thousands, less leaks and a water supply to deal with the impacts of climate change and population growth while making sure that no customer ever worries about affording their water bill.  

“We’ve listened hard to our customers; not only will we make sure we keep building on our strong sector-leading track record, but we’ll be more than a water company.

“This investment will make sure we have a positive economic, environmental and social impact for decades to come for the communities we serve.’’  

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The major announcement comes after 68,000 customers helped to shape the plan so that it delivers the outcomes its ‘customers care about most’.

A Severn Trent spokesman said: “It will guarantee a secure water supply for generations to come; storm overflows will cause no harm to rivers and customers will receive sector-leading service, with a promise that customers won’t pay for anything twice.    

“Investment in the water system is essential to ensure the security of water supply in the future and will deliver significant improvements in the region’s water and sewerage system.”

The plan is underpinned by a £550m financial support package, which means financial support for around 700,000 people to help pay their bill – more customers than ever before – and around one in seven customers in the region.  

They added: “We understand this support is the most extensive in the water industry, from the information we had at the time we submitted our plan, and the numbers supported exceeds those we forecast to be in water poverty by 2030.”

However, it has been reported that while some of the money has been raised through investment, bills for Seven Trent customers could rise by more than a third by 2030.