Severn Trent is to showcase how its £12.9bn investment programme will benefit local communities in Stoke - and is now staging a series of roadshows to highlight the proposals and customers are being encouraged to attend. 

The Potteries Shopping Centre will be the setting for the next event on Thursday 30 November, and Friday 1 December, when Severn Trent staff will be on hand to talk about the new plans for the City and the wider Staffordshire region.

From their stand in the Upper Mall, staff will also be handing out free winter wellbeing packs, including a hot water bottle a portable drinks mug.

Tips on how to protect homes as we head into winter as well as cost-of-living advice will also be on offer at the event, which is open to the public and runs from 9am to 2pm.

Nearly 70,000 Severn Trent customers helped shape the plan so that it delivers the outcomes people care about most, including the creation of 7,000 new jobs across the region and a £550m package of financial support for customers.

The plans include hundreds of millions being invested in Staffordshire projects such as improving resilience in the network, boosting water quality and improving overflows. By 2030 it is expected that more than 38,000 people in the county will have benefited from Severn Trent financial support schemes – offering extra support to those who are vulnerable.

Severn Trent also plans to invest in five of its sites in the county in a bid to have carbon neutral emissions by 2030 and a series of projects as part of the Water Industry National Environment Programme will be delivered.  

Steph Cawley, Customer Operations Director, said: “We’re continuing to make huge investments across Staffordshire to provide our customers with the best service that can be relied upon whilst ensuring a sustainable future including healthy rivers, thousands of new jobs, less leaks and a water supply to deal with the impact of climate change and population growth. 

“We would love to see people come along to the Potteries Shopping Centre, where you can speak directly with our teams to learn more about these exciting new plans and to ask any questions you may have. 

“We’ll also provide information on affordability schemes available now for people who may need any extra help and how to protect homes as we head in to winter.”

The event will include winter advice for customers, including on pipe lagging, plus tips on saving water and energy around the home. Free children’s books that provide a fun and informative twist on water-related subjects will also be handed out on the day.

The public can also learn more about Severn Trent’s Community Fund which has donated almost £600,000 to 26 projects in the county since 2020, including The Beyond Youth Project in Burton and AEDdonate.

Overall, the plans, which have been submitted to Ofwat and will be confirmed in April 2024 are aimed at guaranteeing a secure water supply for generations to come, ensuring storm overflows cause no harm to rivers and customers continue to receive a sector-leading service.