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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Andrew Jones MP appeals for help at ‘critical time’ for River Nidd bathing water bid
Conservative MP Andrew Jones has issued a plea for volunteers to help in the campaign to achieve bathing water status on the River Nidd.
Mr Jones plans to submit an application for bathing water status at Knaresborough Lido after reports of numerous bathers falling ill last summer.
If successful, it would oblige government agencies to take action to improve water quality.
In a three-minute video on his Community News website, the Harrogate and Knaresborough MP blamed the Victorian-era sewage system, run-off from agricultural land and drainage from housing estates for polluting the Nidd.
He asked for volunteers to help with the campaign. He said:
“May this year is a critical time as it marks the start of the bathing season when evidence must be collected for the bathing water application that I’m leading.
“This campaign is building momentum but we can’t let it slide. That’s why I’m calling out to anyone who is passionate about our environment or who uses the River Nidd to come forward and help with the volunteer work.”
Mr Jones said data would be collected over summer and urged anyone interested in helping to get in touch.
He said he would be working alongside Nidd Action Group between now and September to apply for bathing water designation.
Steve Kirkley, from Blenkhorn’s Boats
Steve Kirkley, from Blenkhorn’s Boats, which operates boat hire on the Nidd, told the video improved water quality would “lead to more enjoyable surroundings” while David Clayden, secretary of Harrogate Fly Fishers’ Club, said it would create “a better environment for the river”.
Nicola Shaw, chief executive of Yorkshire Water, said it was important to work in partnership to improve water quality.
‘Nidd plagued by foul sewage’
This week Tom Gordon, the Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough, accused Conservative MPs of “blocking new tough measures on water companies” to tackle sewage discharge.
Mr Gordon said the Sewage Discharge Bill would have introduced automatic fines on water companies breaking their sewage dumping permits but Conservative MPs voted to block it.
Mr Gordon, said:
“The Nidd has been plagued by foul sewage discharges. People across Harrogate and Knaresborough are furious about this, yet the Conservative government keeps blocking new laws to get tough on water companies.”
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Harrogate and Knaresborough MP to ‘submit case’ for River Nidd bathing water status in 2023
Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has said he intends to submit a case to government to achieve designated bathing water status on the River Nidd next year.
Concerns about Nidd water quality increased in summer this year following reports of numerous people falling ill after entering the water.
A campaign to achieve bathing water status on the Nidd near the Lido at Knaresborough would oblige the Environment Agency to put plans in place to monitor and protect the water.
Writing on his Community News website, Mr Jones said he intends to work with businesses and residents to submit a case to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in 2023.
He said:
“One feature of last year was the ‘yah-boo’ over the quality of our waterways. No-one has ever voted to put sewage in our rivers but putting that bit of political nonsense aside there is a serious point. Our water quality isn’t good enough.
“We use Victorian infrastructure in our sewers and we allow pesticides and animal waste from agricultural rainwater run-off into rivers.
“Over summer, I will be working with residents and businesses to submit a case to DEFRA to designate the River Nidd at the Lido in Knaresborough as an area of bathing water quality. This will mean the Environment Agency has to monitor the water quality and plan to improve it.”
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Mr Jones, who secured a debate on the matter in parliament this year, has previously said he is “confident” that there is a case for designating the area as bathing water status.
The Conservative MP also met with Rebecca Pow, environmental quality minister, to raise the issue this month.
Cllr Hannah Gostlow, Liberal Democrat councillor for Knaresborough East on North Yorkshire County Council, said efforts had also been made by the town council and local community to clean up the Nidd.
She said:
Andrew Jones MP ‘confident’ of achieving bathing water status for River Nidd“We read with interest Andrew Jones’ commitment to improve the water quality of the Nidd and we certainly welcome any efforts to support our campaign, but his recent voting record in parliament shows the reality is exactly the opposite to his words.
“I am also pleased to report that Knaresborough Town Council have allocated funds towards the community’s efforts to clean up the Nidd and make it safer for bathers and wildlife.”
Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has said the campaign to improve water quality in the River Nidd at Knaresborough is “gaining momentum” and he is “confident” of success.
Mr Jones’ comments came after he discussed the matter with environmental quality minister Rebecca Pow this week.
According to his Community News website, Mr Jones briefed Ms Pow about water quality issues in the Nidd and his proposal to designate the Lido in Knaresborough as an area of Bathing Water Quality.
Concerns about Nidd water quality increased in summer this year following reports of numerous people falling ill after entering the water.
Knaresborough Lido
If the bathing water bid is successful, the Environment Agency would be obliged to put plans in place to monitor and protect the water. The River Wharfe in Mr Jones’ native Ilkley is currently the only inland water in the UK with bathing water status.
The Conservative MP said:
“Next May is the critical time as that is when the evidence must be collected to make a Bathing Water Quality application to DEFRA. In between now and then I am ensuring that we have the maximum support possible lined up behind the application.
“I’ve spoken to residents and businesses, councillors, MPs in Commons debates and now directly to the minister. It feels like the campaign is gathering momentum and I am confident that we will be successful.”
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Following her meeting with Mr Jones in the House of Commons, Ms Pow said:
“It was very good to learn more about Andrew’s campaign and see the passion to improve water quality on the River Nidd.
“I was particularly pleased to see the depth of community interest and support.
“Improving water is a priority for the government, and we are actively encouraging communities to apply for bathing water status. There are so many elements to our work, but team working and local passion are at the heart of making progress.”