The Environment Secretary has announced special protection for two popular stretches of coast in Worthing following a successful appeal by myself and a positive application from Worthing Borough Council.
As newly designated bathing sites, the Environment Agency will actively and regularly monitor the water to identify sources of pollution and hold those responsible to account.
This recognition is a positive reassurance that our local beaches and stretches of sea qualify as bathing waters and that the level of services was good enough to promote active use of the waters. This new protection will ensure it is monitored more closely and held to a higher standard.
Under new proposals by the Government, the water regulator Ofwat will be able to take action against water companies that pay out dividends to their shareholders despite failing to meet these required high standards.
The Government have also removed the £250,000 limit on fines, making them limitless, ensuring that penalties can be proportionate to the degree of environmental harm and culpability.
As one of the most active and longstanding campaigners for cleaner waters in Parliament, I share in welcoming this enhanced protection and these new measures. With increased monitoring comes an increased ability to respond and act proactively to improve our waters.
Thank you to the caring volunteers and hard-working officers who helped gather all the information and evidence needed for council teams to make the necessary applications. Our work in Westminster has backed up their good work in Worthing.
We achieve a lot when we work together in tandem.
