Euro-MP in appeal over hosepipe ban

AN urgent plea has been made to United Utilities for the North-West hosepipe ban not to apply to allotments.

Oldham Euro-MP Paul Nuttall, calling for allotment holders to be exempt from the ban, said: “It makes sense to ask people to avoid non-essential use and to be careful with their water supply. But this prohibition should not apply to allotment holders.”

Mr Nuttall, of the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP), added: “We are all being encouraged to be healthier and eat homegrown produce and yet here these dedicated gardeners will not be able to use hosepipes to keep their produce alive.

“People with gardens will carry on watering using cans filled from their taps but this is really not feasible for allotment holders.

“They have water in baths and butts, but this will not last long and then what?”

He said filling cans from taps with sufficient water for a whole plot will be a nightmare task and some elderly gardeners may find it too arduous in the heat.

“Who knows how long this ban will last. Are they just supposed to stand by and watch their future meals die?

“I have been approached by allotment holders about this situation and I have written to United Utilities asking them to place them in the same category as garden centres and nurseries,” he added.