A recent report has delivered a disturbing revelation about the condition of the rivers in the West of England. None of the river stretches in the region were found to be in ‘good’ overall health, according to the findings of The Rivers Trust. The report pointed out that the waterways are under threat from a dangerous mix of pollutants stemming from agriculture, the water industry, and road runoff.
The environment charity’s assessment showed that all the river stretches in the West of England failed to meet the criteria for ‘good’ overall status. In particular, Wellow Brook near Radstock was classified as being in “poor” health, further underscoring the severity of the situation.
Expressing his concern, Regional Mayor Dan Norris emphasized the gravity of the report, labeling it as “shocking” and a stark indictment of the government’s failure over the past 14 years to address the degradation of the nation’s rivers and lakes. He stressed the need for immediate and decisive action to tackle the crisis at hand.
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In response to the alarming findings, Mayor Norris outlined several initiatives at the regional level aimed at cleaning up the damage caused by the inaction of central government. These include providing funding for a suspended floating plant system to assist the local fish and rare eels at the new Capricorn Quay, as well as collaborating with organizations like the Bristol Avon Rivers Trust to curb road runoff, identified as a significant contributor to pollution in the West region and across the country, as highlighted by The Rivers Trust.
Mayor Dan Norris, representing the Labour party as the West of England Metro Mayor, criticized the government, holding them responsible for the deterioration of the rivers. He underscored the urgency of the situation, emphasizing that the contamination of the rivers poses not only a threat to the natural environment but also constitutes a public health crisis.
The dire condition of Wellow Brook stands as a microcosm of the collective failures of the numerous Environment Secretaries since 2010, Mayor Norris asserted. He urged for immediate action, stressing the community’s right to enjoy their local surroundings without the fear of contamination. While endeavoring to address the Tory government’s 14 years of neglect, Mayor Norris also called upon ministers to fulfill their responsibilities, which includes holding water authorities accountable for their negligence and strengthening the regulations to prevent further abuse of the system.
Mayor Norris highlighted the significance of healthy waterways in mitigating the impacts of the climate crisis, supporting biodiversity, and enhancing the well-being of local communities, underscoring the broader implications of the issue at hand.