Chester’s MP Samantha Dixon has slammed the Government for “shifting the goalposts” for anyone trying to secure designated bathing water status for rivers.
Ms Dixon is supporting calls for a section of the River Dee in Chester to be granted this status. The City of Chester MP is keen to see the practice of discharging sewage into the River Dee come to an end and has formed a coalition group to tackle this issue.
She is keen to explore getting designated bathing water status for the River Dee but has expressed her frustration at the latest developments which have made it harder to do this. The Government has changed the rules on applying for it, with a requirement now for 100 people a day to be using it for swimming, rather than the 40-50 per day previously required as part of any application.
A bid to secure designated bathing water status for the River Dee in Chester is currently being explored by Cheshire West and Chester Council, with a consultation on the subject now launched.
Commenting on the changes in the criteria for applying for this status, Samantha Dixon said: “Our rivers and waterways are suffering a sewage crisis. At a time when action is needed to clean our water, the Government is shifting the goalposts and making it harder for communities to obtain the status.
“I encourage everyone to take part in Cheshire West and Chester Council’s forthcoming consultation on bathing water status. Only a few weeks ago, the Prime Minister agreed with me when I asked him if he thought continued sewage dumping in our rivers is acceptable.
“We need action from this Government. Not a change in targets.”