Dorset’s four Labour MPs met together at one of the county’s most famous coastal landmarks to call for more action to improve water quality.
Jessica Toale (Bournemouth West), Tom Hayes (Bournemouth East), Lloyd Hatton (South Dorset) and Neil Duncan-Jordan (Poole) were joined by Surfers Against Sewage and Litter Free Dorset for water quality testing and litter picking at Durdle Door.
The group’s joint message coincides with the start of the official ‘bathing season’, which they want to see extended to all year round.
They’re demanding action on sewage spills to clean up the coastline and protect water users along the Jurassic Coast.
The MPs carried out water quality testing with Surfers Against Sewage – part of a national programme – and a litter pick with Litter Free Dorset, dedicated to keeping all areas of the county tidy.
They went on to discuss the water quality issues locally, nationally and globally and what might be done to tackle this.
The event marked a renewed push to stop sewage spills, protect beaches across the county – from Weymouth to Bournemouth – and hold local water company bosses to account.
The MPs welcomed the introduction of new powers that will see water company executives face up to two years in prison if they cover up illegal sewage spills.
They also backed legislation that will stop polluting water bosses from receiving unfair bonuses.
It forms part of a wider reform of the water sector, which includes £104 billion of private investment to modernise the water system and the establishment of an independent commission into the industry.