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    23

    Sept 2023

    Last Updated: 22/09/2023
    Environment
    Environment

    River Nidd bathing water bid to be sent next month

    by John Plummer

    | 23 Sept, 2023
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    0

    screenshot-2022-02-02-at-16-36-34
    River Nidd at Knaresborough

    An application for the River Nidd in Knaresborough to be designated bathing water status is to be submitted to the government next month.

    If successful, the move would oblige organisations such as the Environment Agency to take action to clean the Nidd, amid concerns about high sewage levels and bathers falling ill at Knaresborough Lido.

    Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones will submit the application after overseeing a survey of how many people use the Lido during the bathing water season from May 15 to September 30.

    Mr Jones said the deadline for sending the application to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs was the end of October. He added:

    "Once submitted, there begins a long process in which Defra consult with many key stakeholders including Yorkshire Water and the Environment Agency.
    "Whilst we can't be sure when the result will be known, applications that were submitted last year found out around March of this year."


    He said further surveys at the Lido were unlikely due to the colder weather, adding:

    "The numbers we received from the surveys were excellent, and were nicely capped with that final burst of good weather a couple of weeks ago which saw hundreds of people swimming in the River Nidd at the Lido."


    The surveying was hampered a change in guidance in early July, but Mr Jones said "we have a committed team of volunteers which enabled us to adjust our plan quickly and fulfil the new criteria".

    Water sampling continues


    Last month's sampling in Bilton.



    Nidd Action Group, which consists of anglers, academics, conservationists and volunteers has undertaken water sampling along the Nidd as part of the clean-up campaign.

    The first round of sampling took place last month and a second round is required.


    David Clayden, chairman of the group, said:

    "We have identified four possible dates, but they are dependent on getting four days with no rain prior to the sampling day – so the first two, September 25 or 27, are no good.
    "We are now aiming for either October 4 or 5 – again dependent on prior weather forecasts."


    Knaresborough Lib Dems send message to MP


    Knaresborough Town Council gave its backing to the bathing water application this week — but the Liberal Democrat-controlled council added clauses urging the government to do more to protect rivers.

    Cllr Kathryn Davies, a Conservative elected in Aspin and Calcutt who took part in the Lido survey, proposed a motion calling for the council to support the application.

    It said the Nidd at the Lido was an important resource for the people of Knaresborough and improving water quality "would have significant benefits for the environment, public health, recreation and the local economy".

    But David Goode, a Liberal Democrat who represents Castle ward, said the motion "looked like a concerted effort by the Tory party to deflect attention" from allowing water companies to dump sewage in the river.

    He proposed additional clauses, which included writing to Mr Jones requesting he "votes against any legislation that weakens planning and environmental policy" and "supports the call for water companies to be turned into public benefit companies with the aim of reducing leaks and sewage dumping, as well as limiting returns to shareholders".



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