On Air Now Martin Emery 11:00am - 3:00pm
Now Playing Bamboo Bamboogie

Largan column: Protecting our rivers from pollution

High Peak MP Robert Largan.

In his latest column, High Peak MP Robert Largan explains why he rebelled on an Environment Bill amendment and says the Government need to go further to protect rivers from pollution.

I’ve always said that I’ll be an independent-minded voice who puts the High Peak ahead of party politics.

That’s why I recently rebelled against the Government on an amendment to the Environment Bill to prevent raw sewage entering High Peak's rivers and waterways.

This is a growing problem both locally and nationally. Just last month, there was a report from The Rivers Trust of raw sewage entering High Peak’s waterways.

Currently, water companies use storm overflows during heavy rainstorms to protect properties from flooding and to prevent sewage from overflowing into streets and homes.

Unfortunately, this means that excess rainwater and sometimes sewage is released into open waters.

My colleague, Philip Dunne (MP for Ludlow), has been leading the way pushing for a new law to prevent this from happening.

I previously supported Philip’s private members’ bill, which would have put a legal duty on water companies to prevent untreated sewage from being released into rivers and waterways.

The Government's Environment Bill is a landmark piece of legislation, that puts into law the most ambitious environmental programme of any developed country.

But we cannot afford to grow complacent. I believe the Government need to go further.

That’s why I voted in favour of the cross-party amendment, put forward by the Duke of Wellington, which would put that legal duty on water companies.

In voting against the Government, I wanted to send a clear message that more needs to be done to force water companies to ensure that raw sewage is not released from storm overflows into our rivers.

The amendment was defeated but last week I went to 10 Downing Street to meet with the Prime Minister and colleagues from the Conservative Environment Network to discuss this and other environmental issues.

I'm really pleased that the Government have now listened and agreed to bring forward a new amendment to put a legal duty on water companies to act.

Now the independent regulator, Ofwat, will require water companies to invest in alternatives to storm overflows and begin immediately to reduce their use.

This is a big win for those of us who have been working to protect our rivers from pollution.

I care deeply about the environment. The High Peak is a special place and we are incredibly lucky to live here. I will keep fighting to preserve it for future generations.

šŸ“° Sign up to our newsletter šŸ“°

Want to get regular round-ups of news in your local area straight to your inbox? Simply enter your email address and tick the box below. 

Newsletter

Read more from the Glossop Chronicle

Click here for more of the latest news

Click here to read the latest edition of the paper online

Click here to find out where you can pick up a copy of the paper

More from Glossop Chronicle

Weather

  • Thu

    9°C

  • Fri

    12°C

  • Sat

    13°C

  • Sun

    14°C

  • Mon

    11°C