Parliament hears storm overflow spilled into Cornish river 355 times
MP Cherilyn Mackrory is promising to keep pressing for action on sewage discharges
Last updated 13th Oct 2022
The MP for Truro and Falmouth has raised the issue of sewage discharges during a debate in Parliament, which heard how one storm overflow spilled into a Cornish river 355 times.
Following hundreds of residents in Falmouth gathering at Gyllyngvase Beach to attend an anti-sewage and pollution protest last weekend, Cherilyn raised local concerns about the damaging impact discharges are having on our environment.
She also raised some shocking local figures, including the case of one storm overflow which spilled 355 times for a total of 7,486 hours into the River Fal.
Cherilyn also raised the sewage overflows impacting Portloe - and the need for South West Water to act as soon as possible to tackle these issues.
She went on to promise to continue to press the government and South West Water to act.
Speaking in the debate, Cherilyn said: "I'd like to thank the 278 constituents who signed the petition and helped bring about this debate today. In Falmouth we have had enough – this is affecting people's lives and businesses and it's happening all over my constituency.
"In Cornwall, we use our waterways for recreation, to fish and for exercise. I have one of the world's most sustainable fisheries on the River Fal and we have a duty of care to protect this fishery.
"I have had the great privilege of working under the Member for Ludlow (Philip Dunne) on the Environmental Audit Committee, and I want to pay tribute to the work he has done on this.
"I also work locally with stakeholders to clean up the River Fal, but after two and a half years of campaigning on this issue, we must do better".
Speaking after the debate, Cherilyn said: "People in Falmouth and across this constituency have had enough – this is affecting people’s lives and businesses, and it’s happening all over Cornwall.
"The local statistics are shocking, with sewage being discharged into our local seas, waterways and rivers, like the River Fal. These are places where people swim, exercise and fish.
"A huge amount of progress has been made in recent years to tackle sewage overflows, with the Government the first ever to implement a plan to tackle the impacts of storm overflows.
"However, we cannot continue to discharge sewage at this rate and something has to change. That is why I will continue to press the government, as well as South West Water, to tackle sewage overflows in every way we can.
"I will not shy away from holding those responsible to account".