Shropshire MP spotlights bathing quality of rivers as Environment Agency defends its position

Stuart Anderson, the Conservative MP for South Shropshire, says progress on creating bathing water quality sites at the River Teme, near Ludlow, and other part of the country, has stalled.

The Environment Agency says it is not unexpected as bathing water sites are new and it takes time to find ways to tackle sources of pollution.

Mr Anderson is also urging residents to have their say in a consultation.

The MP says this year only 92 per cent of bathing waters in England have met minimum water quality standards, with only 85 per cent rated as ‘good’ or ‘excellent.’

This compares to 96 per cent of bathing waters in England met at least the minimum standard, and 90 per cent were rated as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ in 2023 which he says is up from just 76 per cent in 2010, despite the classification standards becoming stricter in 2015.

Designated sites are subject to a regular programme of testing, which ensures that any water quality issues can be quickly resolved.

One new site designed in May upstream of Dinham Bridge at the River Teme in Ludlow was rated 'poor' - meaning the water sampled there has not met the minimum standard.

Mr Anderson has requested details of how the government intends to maintain this progress.

Mr Anderson said: "South Shropshire is such a special place to live. Our rivers and streams sustain a rich variety of wildlife and brings so much joy to the many people who enjoy visiting the area and swimming in our designated bathing sites.

“I am disappointed that progress on improving their quality has stalled, with one new site at the River Teme being rated as 'poor'. This new government must build on the last government's action to conserve and enhance these sites.

“I have called on the government to set out how it will stop these standards from slipping. I am determined to conserve, protect, and enhance our beautiful constituency so that people can enjoy these areas and nature can thrive in them."

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “27 new bathing water sites were designated this year, including three river sites in Shropshire.

“Of the new designations, 18 are classified as ‘poor’ and 12 of these are rivers. This is not unexpected as the new sites have not been managed for bathing before, and it takes time to understand and tackle the sources of pollution affecting them.

“Since the designation of the new sites in Shropshire, we have sampled the sites throughout the bathing water season which runs from May to September. We have produced action plans for every bathing water that is either poor or at risk of being so to better understand what needs to be done to improve the quality of water for bathers at these sites.

The consultation is running until midnight on December 23.

More details of the consultation can be found online.