Eastleigh residents are being urged to lodge objections to the proposed 17 per cent rise in Southern Water rates with water watchdog Ofwat by Wednesday.

Euro MP and prospective Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Eastleigh, Chris Huhne, says planned spending in Eastleigh would leave many areas in the borough without solutions to their flooding problems.

Ofwat has proposed cutting Southern Water's planned 42 per cent increase to 17 per cent over five years but Mr Huhne said environment Secretary Margaret Beckett had added various extra investments and said that there should be some increase beyond the 17 per cent.

And he asked: "Why should Eastleigh residents pay for the investment needed for new residents in a town like Ashford that will double in size because of government plans?"

He welcomed planned improvements at the Eastleigh Chickenhall sewage treatment works to reduce the level of ammonia and phosphorous discharged into the River Itchen.

But he pointed out that the only spending project that would bring direct benefit to Eastleigh residents was at Merdon Avenue in Chandler's Ford.

"The government has put general environmental improvements ahead of fixing the substantial sewerage problems that exist in the borough and which can have a really unpleasant impact of residents' quality of life as well as imposing costs and cutting the value of the home," said Mr Huhne.

"Flooding often occurs with heavy rainfall. There have been sewerage problems in Eastleigh itself and at Boorley Green and Netley Abbey.

"This plan will do nothing for most of the people who need investment in the borough, yet we will be expected to pay through the nose for it."

The Lib Dem hopeful said that protests should be sent to Ofwat before October 13 and be addressed to Philip Fletcher, Director-General of Water Services, Office of Water Services, Centre City Tower, 7 Hill Street, Birmingham B5 4UA.