Sandgate, Seabrook and New Romney have all seen protests and meetings recently as anger grows over the pollution of our seas and waterways. It has been an issue throughout our first year leading Folkestone & Hythe District Council and, with another summer of local sea swimming bans ahead, it will be in many people’s minds when they vote in July’s General Election.
Our Green council leader, Cllr Jim Martin, has repeatedly challenged Southern Water but only a change in the law and an end to privatisation can compel water companies to clean up their act.
Jeremy Speakman, Hythe councillor and cabinet member, told the crowds gathered for Surfers Against Sewage’s huge Paddle-Out protest in May: “It is just unbelievable that swimmers have been warned off bathing in the water at St Mary’s Bay for over a year now with devastating consequences for local businesses that rely on tourism.
“Rivers and coastlines up and down the country have faced years of assault at the hands of the water companies and a government that has refused to act. Saying sorry is simply not enough – and suggesting that the public has to pay for any improvements, after £57 billion has been paid out to shareholders over the last 30 years, just adds insult to injury.
“It is incredible that currently water companies can, almost with impunity, dump sewage into our rivers, waterways and coastal waters with an appalling cost to public health and our wildlife. This situation cannot go on. For decades, money that should have been invested in improved infrastructure has been pocketed by water company executives and shareholders.
“The Green Party is committed to challenging this failed experiment with privatisation, just one of so many, and we say that a service as vital as water and sewage needs to be run by the public for the public good.
“Shareholder payouts need to be halted with immediate effect and, ultimately, the water supply needs to be brought back into public ownership at the earliest practicable opportunity to end leaks, stop sewage discharges and cut bills.”
Protesters gather in Sandgate to raise awareness of sewage pollution.
It was ironic that Damian Collins, despite voting continuously as our local MP to allow water companies to go on polluting our seas, chaired the recent public meeting at New Romney but at least voters now have an opportunity to hold him to account. Labour’s plan is laughable so, if you believe polluters should bear the cost of making right the damage they have done and be prevented from wreaking yet more havoc, please vote Green on 4 July.
Marianne Brett, Green Party Candidate for Folkestone & Hythe Constituency
