A CAMPAIGN is under way to connect rural areas in Thanet, Dover and Deal to the mains sewerage system. Thanet South MP Stephen Ladyman and Gwyn Prosser, MP for Dover and Deal, led a delegation to Westminster and pressed Environment Minister Michael Meacher for a change in laws governing water and sewerage services.

Dr Layman said: “Under present law it is almost impossible and hugely expensive for councils to extend the mains network. We have suggested important changes that could help local authorities and water companies link the rural areas to the mains system and this will remove the high charges residents face for cess pool emptying.”

Mr Prosser said: “Lots of people are still not connected to the mains network. We think the Government should do more to help the water companies and councils extend their mains sewerage system. Nearly a tenth of the households in the Dover district are not connected. "This is twice the national average and it means thousands of people are forced to pay high charges for waste removal.”