Campaigners say more needs to be done to stop pollution of Kent's seas
It comes as the county experiences it's hottest week of the year.
Last updated 26th Jun 2024
A campaign group says more needs to be done to protect Kent's seas from water pollution.
SOS Whitstable have protested against sewage dumps from Southern Water since 2021.
And now, as the county experiences it's hottest week of the year, with some places seeing temperatures of 27C, the group are urging change, with more people expected on coastline.
Sally Burt Jones, from SOS Whistable said: "I'd say things are pretty bad around the Kent coast.
"We've had a lot of rain so far this year, that has created an additional amount of release. In Tankerton, last year, we had 500 release, so far, this year, we've 600 in 6 months.
"Water companies need to start committing to giving equal value to people, planet and profit.
"Until the problem is solved, while bill payers are paying thousands of pounds for a service they aren't receiving, it really isn't appropriate for bosses to be making millions of pounds."
It follows numerous beach closures in 2024. In Thanet, there have been four temporary closures at Westbrook, St Mildred’s Bay, West Bay and Minnis Bay.
While in Romney Marsh, the issue is far more serious, with two permanent closures at their bays in Littlestone and St Mary's
For Littlestone, it is their first summer closed, while St Marys is experiencing it's second consecutive shutdown.
When asked about this, Sally said: "Lots of people use the sea for things such as swimming, paddle boarding, it's really great for people's health to get into water.
"Not being able to do that has a real negative impact on people, and it's really frustrating as this should be a free natural resource that everyone has access too."