03 April 2023 , 21:31
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Water companies in England dumped sewage into England’s Blue Flag beaches 1,504 times last year, lasting 8,497 hours.
The worst incident was on Blackpool Sands beach in Stoke Fleming, Devon, where sewage was discharged for 1,014 hours last year during 63 separate sewage dumps onto the beach.
Devon’s Meadfoot beach in Torquay, Sidmouth town and Exmouth were also in the top five worst places for spills per hour.
Blue Flag status is an international mark of recognition that a beach is deemed safe and environmentally friendly.
But new analysis of latest Environment Agency data by the Liberal Democrats raise fears of water pollution for swimmers and wildlife, they warn.
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Blackpool Sands was site of biggest incident uncovered by Environment Agency (Getty Images)Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said: “Britain’s beaches are being ruined by profiteering water companies getting away with dumping sewage as the Government has failed to act for years.
Whilst these firms have been raking in multi-billion pound profits, people have been left to swim in raw sewage. The whole thing stinks.
“Therese Coffey has had six months in the job and failed to take any meaningful action on these companies. It is clear she simply doesn’t care about our country’s rivers and seas and should therefore resign or be sacked.
"What is the point of an Environment Secretary who doesn’t care about the environment?
“Conservative MPs have shown time and again that they couldn’t care less about our rivers and coastlines. This Government is as guilty as the water companies in allowing this national nature scandal.”
Anthony Mangnall, the MP for Totnes and South Devon, said: “It is disappointing to see the Liberal Democrats putting together misinformation that seriously damages the reputation of a much loved location and local business. As the holiday season began, people across the country were reading factually incorrect information regarding Blackpool Sands. I can only hope that they will be making a full apology to the owners of the beach and associated businesses.”
But the Lib Dems hit back saying: "Environment Agency data shows over 1,000 hours of sewage flowed from pipes next to this beach. Instead of campaigning to stop this, Anthony Mangnall blocked a new law which would have forced water companies to clean up their act."
Worst sewage discharges on Blue Flag beaches:
1 Devon Blackpool Sands Beach, Stoke Fleming - Hours of spills1,014 - Total spills63
2 Devon Meadfoot Beach, Torquay Hours of spills 946- Total spills 79
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3 Hampshire Beachlands Beach, Hayling Island Hours of spills 793- Total spills 102
4 Devon Sidmouth Town Beach, Sidmouth Hours of spills631- Total spills 59
5 Devon Exmouth Beach, Exmouth Hours of spills 470 - Total spills39