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Time to get tough on “polluting and profiteering” water firms
08/06/2024
Dr Stewart Tolley is standing for the Liberal Democrats in South Northamptonshire
The man who is hoping to secure votes in the General Election for the Liberal Democrats in South Northamptonshire is backing his party’s calls for a new protected status for local rivers.
Stewart Tolley believes it is time to get tough on “polluting and profiteering” water firms.
Liberal Democrat analysis of data from the Environment Agency shows that Anglian Water discharged sewage into South Northamptonshire’s waterways 1,500 times over some 16,000 hours in 2023.
The Liberal Democrats want to expand marine protected areas and have a new Blue Flag status for rivers. This would set legally binding targets to prevent sewage dumping in those sites, giving special protected status for swimmers and wildlife.
The party proposes abolishing Ofwat and introducing a new regulator with greater powers, alongside banning bonuses for water company executives.
Dr Tolley said: “South Northamptonshire’s precious rivers, like the Tove, have been destroyed after years of a Conservative government letting water firms get away with environmental vandalism.
“It is time we got tough on polluting and profiteering water firms, yet the former Conservative MP here voted against stronger regulation. This scandal has to end now. The Conservative party has failed to protect swimmers and wildlife.
“The Liberal Democrats will have the boldest manifesto on cleaning up our rivers and coastlines. For the sake of our environment and public health our waters should not be polluted with sewage.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam