Activists recently took part in a protest against raw sewage being disposed of via the nation’s rivers and seas.
Members of Extinction Rebellion have been visiting waterside locations, including the Thames Towpath near the Wokingham Waterside Centre in East Reading and Sonning Bridge.
The protest involved wild water swimming, sewage-related props and the installation of mock blue plaques criticising Berkshire MPs for their voting record on water regulations.
Real blue plaques are used to commemorate places and people of note across the UK. But activists have subverted that, with the message “Our Government voted to block a law requiring water companies to dump less raw sewage in our waterways and seas”.
Among their targets were Sir John Redwood, the Conservative MP for Wokingham and Laura Farris, the Conservative MP for Newbury, during a day of action held on Saturday, January 28.
The activity involved installing the blue plaques in Newbury and at the Conservative Association office in Wokingham’s Rose Street.
The protest was organised by Extinction Rebellion’s Reading and West Berkshire branches.
An activist called Bianca, a spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion Reading, said: “We need to make our voices heard and this is just the start.
“Write to your MP, go and see them – and keep doing it. There are lots of us here today so let’s keep working together to make our message one that cannot be dismissed or ignored.”
Meanwhile teacher, wild swimmer and dirty water campaigner Dani Esposito said: “I am horrified and disgusted by the lack of urgency and blatant disregard our Government has shown in tackling the state of our waters. In December the Environment Agency pushed back its targets to clear up England’s rivers and coasts from 2027 to 2063, that’s 30 more years of sewage dumping.
“We refuse to stand by and let that happen.”
The target of 2063 specifically relates to chemicals known as uPBTs, which includes mercury.
Conservative MPs have come in for criticism as many voted against tightening regulations back in October 2021.
At that time, there was a proposal from the House of Lords that would have placed legal duties on water companies to reduce sewage discharges into rivers and the sea, which was defeated by 265 votes to 202.
MPs also recently voted on draft water cleanliness targets, officially called the Draft Environmental Targets (Water) (England) Regulations 2022.
The draft regulations were passed by 300 votes to 170, with 292 Conservative MPs being joined by six Democratic Unionist Party and two Alliance Party MPs.
The Liberal Democrats claim the vote allows sewage dumping by water companies in rivers and coasts for at least 15 more years.
Mrs Farris disagreed with the protestors’ arguments.
She said: “I do not accept this. The Government passed the Environment Act 2021 which set out the framework for the elimination of sewage. The law requires that Sites of Special Scientific Interest including chalk streams must have an 80% reduction in all discharges by the year 2030.
“Water companies have an obligation collectively to invest £56 billion towards this. Thames Water has now published its plan for an 80% reduction by 2030. It was published last autumn, and I have been working with them closely on it.
“In some parts of my constituency the work has begun, but 2030 remains the final target.
“The reason why it requires several years is that they essentially have to modernise the entire sewerage system which dates back to the Victorian era.”
Sir John was unavailable for comment.
