House of Commons · Westminster Hall
05 March 2025 · 6 other contributors · 4,325 words
Opened by Bobby Dean Lib Dem Carshalton and Wallington
Responding minister: Emma Hardy
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Bobby Dean raised concerns about river wandle pollution in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
Calls for swift action to hold polluters accountable and implement measures to protect the river's ecological health.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
The latest incident involved a spill of 4,000 litres of diesel from a bus garage into the sewage network and ultimately the River Wandle. This event exemplifies daily threats to the river, which is unique as an urban chalk stream with a million residents in its catchment area. The history of industrial pollution has left it vulnerable, and recent restoration efforts are threatened by ongoing issues like raw sewage discharge.
Compliments Bobby Dean's work on the issue and raises concerns about the speed of holding polluters accountable to prevent further damage.
Emphasised the need for a generational transformation in sewage management, advocating for penalties for polluters and banning bonuses for water bosses through legislation.
Agrees that those causing pollution should bear the cost, highlighting similar successful restoration projects elsewhere.
Acknowledges the importance of local grassroots activism in river restoration efforts and supports the 'polluter pays' principle.
Highlighted concerns about sewer processing capacity issues related to new housing developments, suggesting the need for Thames Water to ensure improved sewage infrastructure alongside housing growth.
Addressed concerns about agricultural and sewage pollution, highlighted the Cunliffe review's call for evidence and the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025, committing to increasing polluter pays and ensuring cost recovery. Emphasised the seriousness of addressing water system issues with long-term transformative change through legislative actions.
Government Response
Emma HardyThe Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Minister acknowledges the hon. Member's concerns about the diesel spill and expresses that actions are being taken to prevent such incidents in future. She provides a detailed timeline of the response by the Environment Agency and outlines that cost recovery measures exist under section 161 of the Water Resources Act 1991, allowing for full recovery from water companies in cases of sewage pollution.