Lib Dems pledge to clean-up Norfolk's waterways, if elected
Sir Ed Davey was in Sheringham yesterday afternoon braving the elements of the North Sea
The leader of the Liberal Democrat’s says his party will clean up Norfolk’s waterways if they’re elected into Government next month
Sir Ed Davey was in Sheringham yesterday afternoon braving the elements of the North Sea- to raise awareness about the issue.
The Lib Dems has set out a plan to save chalk streams, which the party's analysis suggested suffered nearly 49,000 hours worth of sewage dumping in 2023 - more than double the previous year.
The streams, which spring from underground chalk reservoirs, are one of the world's rarest freshwater habitats and are found primarily in the south of England and Yorkshire.
Sir Ed Davey's party repeated its proposal to launch a public consultation within the first 100 days of the next government which could see rivers and lakes awarded a new Blue Flag status to protect them from sewage dumping.
""We need urgent action"
Sir Ed Davey said:
"Water firms are destroying our precious rivers and chalk streams all whilst making massive profits. Conservative ministers have let these water firms get away with it for too long, while their toothless schemes have failed to protect swimmers and wildlife.
"We need urgent action to save our precious chalk streams from this environmental disaster.
"The swimmers made ill, the wildlife killed and the chalk streams dried up should act as a watershed moment to put an end to the sewage scandal.
"Every vote for the Liberal Democrats at this election is a vote for a strong local champion who will tackle the sewage scandal and clean up our rivers, lakes and beaches."
What are the other political parties saying on this?
Labour says it'd put water companies under special measures to clean up waterways.
While the Tories say they'd use fines from companies to invest in river restoration projects.