Government must 'cancel nimbys' on new reservoirs to tackle drought, says infrastructure czar

Government Ministers must be able to overrule the opposition of local MPs, councilors and residents to new reservoirs in a bid to tackle widespread drought, the infrastructure czar has warned.

Sir John Armitt, chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission, said that there was "a growing urgency" for more reservoirs the threat of water shortages.

Speaking against nimbyism - those who say "not in my back yard" - Sir John has warned that caving in to local campaigns would cost Tories at the polls.

"If you consistently fail to ensure that the basic infrastructure everyone needs to live their lives is provided, then people won't vote for you sooner or later," he said. id.

The Tsar added: "A local politician will clearly do what he can, one way or another, to support his constituents and plead the cause as best he can. for them. That's why decisions have to be made at national government level."

His intervention comes as Environment Secretary George Eustice would push for officials to rally behind a "National Water Network".

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The minister wants to invest in a huge project that would see pipelines move water from the wetter parts of the west of England to the t is driest in the country, reported The Sunday Times.

But Mr Eustice is one of many ministers to suggest ideas during a “zombie government” period during which no major investment can move forward until Boris Johnson...