On Tuesday 6th September, Anna Firth, Member of Parliament for Southend West, called for greater environmental protections for the waterways in Southend West.
Speaking in an Urgent Question in the House of Commons, Ms Firth called for a link between water companies’ dividend payments and capital buy-backs and their environmental performance.
Ms Firth’s intervention in the House of Commons came on a day when there were two pollution warning risks in Southend West following the use of Storm Overflows, which discharge sewage into the waterways.
Since being elected a Member of Parliament, Ms Firth has consistently called for greater protections for Britain’s waterways, as well as ensuring that water companies are sanctioned for any environmental breaches. Last month, Firth cautiously welcomed the Government’s new Storm Discharge Reduction Plan, which introduces the strictest ever measures to tackle the use of storm overflows. However, she cautioned that the water companies must take immediate action, rather than waiting until 2035.
Commenting, Anna Firth said,
“As the Member of parliament for Southend West, I have a duty to ensure that our waterways are safe to swim and fish in. Sadly, Anglian Water too often makes use of storm overflows, which discharge pollution straight into the waters off Southend West. The water companies, particularly Anglian Water here in Southend West, must not be allowed to pay huge dividends to shareholders and executives whilst continuing to pollute our waterways.
