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28
Mar
Sewage in Nidd and Ure: local politicians react to increase
Leading Harrogate and Knaresborough politicians have reacted to the news that sewage spills in the River Nidd and River Ure more than doubled last year.
The Environment Agency published sewage discharge figures for all the water and sewage companies yesterday. The Stray Ferret analysed the data to discover the amount of recorded incidents had more than doubled for the Nidd and Ure.
Water quality is likely to be a key issue at the next general election.
Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, has led a campaign to achieve bathing water status at Knaresborough Lido on the Nidd.
Tom Gordon, the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough, has attacked the government for its record on pollution and called for a ban on water company directors' bonuses.
The rivals gave different reactions to yesterday's figures.
'A complex picture'
Mr Jones told the Stray Ferret sewage “isn’t the only cause of pollution in rivers – particularly the Nidd”, adding run-off from farmlands also contributed to the issue.
Mr Jones said:
'A complete scandal’
Mr Gordon went on the front foot by attacking the Conservative's record on pollution.
The party yesterday claimed the Conservative MPs have "consistently voted against measures which would have helped to tackle the crisis - including Andrew Jones".
Mr Gordon told the Stray Ferret:
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