Eastbourne MP Josh Babarinde has hit out at the state of the UK’s waterways, calling the situation an “outrageous and depressing state of affairs” as new polling reveals growing public concern over coastal water quality.
The survey, commissioned by the Liberal Democrats, found that 44% of Brits say they would never swim in the sea during the summer, while 19% said they would still avoid it even if the government achieves its goal of halving sewage spills by 2030.
Responding to the findings, Josh Babarinde, Liberal Democrat MP for Eastbourne, strongly criticised both the Government and water companies:
“Our precious beaches must be protected from Southern Water’s reckless raw sewage dumping.
Instead, years of mismanagement and neglect by our water companies and successive governments have turned them into hazard zones.
This is an outrageous and depressing state of affairs. It’s dangerous for Eastbourne’s swimmers, disastrous for Eastbourne’s businesses and devastating for our town’s beautiful natural environment. Enough is enough.”
Babarinde is now calling for stronger regulation and accountability in the water industry:
“The Government must get a grip on this and properly hold water companies to account via a regulator that has the power and authority to impose strict fines.
Anything less is a dereliction of duty to the people of Eastbourne, and the UK’s coastal communities as a whole.”
The comments come amid widespread public frustration over ongoing sewage discharges along the UK coastline, with campaigners warning that urgent action is needed to protect public health and marine ecosystems.
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