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Harrogate MP demands Government action to tackle sewage crisis

Friday, 7 February 2025 07:25

Tom Gordon MP speaking in the House of Commons yesterday.

Local MP Tom Gordon has once again pressed the government on what steps they are taking to reduce sewage pollution in rivers.

The Lib Dem MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough was speaking in Parliament yesterday (Thursday).

He asked what steps are being taken to ensure that sewage treatment infrastructure will be implemented to meet both current and future demand.

It follows Tom's visit to Killinghall Sewage treatment works, where he said he saw that water companies are "only addressing immediate issues" rather than looking ahead and investing in infrastructure to tackle future demand.

Tom has urged the Government to push water companies to invest in sustainable solutions.

He said:

"The government must push water companies to invest in infrastructure that meets both current and future demand.

"We must stop chasing out tail – we need long-term solutions to stop this crisis from happening again."

The River Nidd, which runs through Tom’s constituency of Harrogate and Knaresborough, is among the waterways known to overflow with sewage.

He added:

"Lack of action from both the government and the water industry have led us to this mess. The government must not repeat the mistakes of the Conservatives and finally hold water companies to account.

"It is time for the Government to step up and force water companies to put the environment over profits."

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