A Norfolk MP has praised the work of the County’s Rivers Trust following a visit to a recently restored rare chalk stream.
Terry Jermy MP, Member of Parliament for South West Norfolk, met representatives from Norfolk Rivers Trust at the River Nar at South Acre to view recently completed restoration work to support nature recovery and improved biodiversity.
The visit comes as the Government continues to push through its Water (Special Measures) Bill through Parliament which aims to improve water quality and address sewage discharge.
Last year South West Norfolk had a staggering 310 sewage dumps, which was a 93% increase on the year before.
Terry Jermy MP said; “We have an abundance of rare chalk streams in South West Norfolk which are critical to our local environment and support many protected species. Sadly, too many of these streams are in a poor condition following a decade of inaction from the Tories allowing a rise in sewage pollution all while letting huge water companies off the hook.
“After 14 years of Conservative failure, we have record levels of illegal sewage dumping in our rivers, lakes and seas. The Conservatives cut the Environment Agency budget by a half since 2010, leaving them powerless to crack down on polluting water companies.
“Labour will put failing water companies under tough special measures and clean up the water sector. It is a major reform and will allow the Environment Agency to bring forward criminal charges against law-breaking water executives. It will create new tougher penalties, including imprisonment, for water executives when companies fail to co-operate or obstruct investigations.
“I am grateful to the Norfolk Rivers Trust for the work they do alongside partners such as Anglian Water to improve our river networks.”
The Water Bill will see the biggest increase in powers for water company regulators in decades. Water bosses whose firms pollute Britain’s rivers will have their bonuses blocked under plans set to be voted upon on Tuesday.
Ed Bramham-Jones, CEO for Norfolk Rivers Trust, said about the MPs work on this issue, “We welcome the interest and support Terry has shown the Trust. The visit provided a great opportunity to showcase our work and highlight the challenges of restoring our rare chalk streams, including habitat degradation, climate change pressures and pollution.”
