SAVE OUR RIVERS

The Liberal Democrats today (6 June) became the first British political party to sign up for the Save Britain’s Rivers Manifesto.  We are committed to:

1. Improve river health by ensuring that within its first six months the next Government publishes a road map on how to ensure that 77% of Britain’s rivers are in good ecological health by 2027, including increased funding for the Environmental Agency so that it can do its job and enforce the law. The road map must also include a plan to deal with chemical pollution of rivers.
2. Cut sewage spills by prosecuting the companies responsible, and ensuring an end to damage to high priority sites (bathing spots, protected nature sites, National Parks and chalk streams) by 2030.
3. Within a year publish a plan to reform regulation of the water companies, to be brought into law within the term of the next Parliament, including tougher powers to restrict dividends and bonuses for underperforming water companies. The plan will include placing a “green duty” on Ofwat (the water companies regulator) to force it to place greater emphasis on the environment when making decisions over water companies’ business plans.
4. Create 100 safe official bathing spots in English rivers by the end of the next Parliament as compared with the 15 (many unsafe) which exist at present.
5. Strengthen the Environmental Land Management Scheme so farmers are given more grants, support and advice to undertake activities that will improve water quality. Commit the Environment Agency to a year on year increase in the number of farms being inspected and take enforcement action against those who commit breaches of the “Farming Rules for Water”.  

JOIN THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS – HELP US TO MAKE OUR PLEDGES A REALITY!