On the 13th October, Anna Firth, Member of Parliament for Southend West, spoke in the Westminster Hall debate on sewage discharges. Anna has been actively involved in holding those causing the environmental damages to account, and spoke on the Conservative Environmental Panel on English Waters at the recent party conference to discuss plans moving forward.
Sewage discharges have caused disastrous effects to Southend’s beaches in recent months. Sewage was pumped into the sea 48 times for more than 251 hours, over ten whole days’ worth. Additionally, 39 million tonnes of sewage is dumped into the Thames each year, which ends up on Southend’s beaches and in all important fishing waters.
Southend is home to a 1000-year-old fishing and cockle industry, and one of the most environmentally protected foreshores in the country. Water quality in Southend is extremely important and is why Anna is campaigning so hard to fight for cleaner waters. She is calling ministers to take immediate and effective action.
In the debate she asked,
“Will the Minister agree to support the brilliant Conservative Environment Network campaign for a mandatory clear labelling system for commonly flushed items such as wet wipes? Just because things might be biodegradable—and wet wipes are not—that does not mean they are flushable.”
