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Pensioner wins drains bill battle
A Chorley pensioner has won his fight against United Utilities - and says he hopes his campaign success will inspire others to do the same.
Harry Chadderton, 69, from Highfield Road South, recently discovered he was paying massive amounts for his drains when he did not have to.
The retired accountant, who had been receiving 400 bills, paid out three times in 18 months to have his drains cleared privately - but found out that because of the age of his house and the position his drains were in, they were the responsibility of United Utilities (UU).
Now he's battling to make sure other residents do not make the same mistake by asking UU to publish this information.
Mr Chadderton wants people to understand what a 'section 24 sewer' means. If a house is built before 1937 and it is not the first house linked with to the main drain, then any blockages in the drains are the responsibility of UU.
He said: "There is no mention of this on the literature United Utilities put out with their water bills."
After months of complaining Mr Chadderton finally received a letter saying the issue is being looked at and UU were working towards putting information in the post with their water bills.
A letter from the company to the determined pensioner said: "I have spoken to our communications team about the issue and we are currently looking at the possibilities of including this in our literature."
Mr Chadderton said: "I am very pleased that people will finally be told about it. As soon as you get in contact with the right people it becomes easier to get things done."
Shaun Robinson of UU said: "We are working on improving the information the public get through the post about their drains."
Chorley councillor Ralph Snape has helped Mr Chadderton and said: "It's important that people understand what's going on."
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Weather for Chorley
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 21 C
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