Isle of Wight councillor for Cowes North, Richard Quigley (Lab), has hit out at the Isle of Wight MP over this claims that he “won a commitment from Southern Water” over reducing sewage dumping in the water around the Isle of Wight.
As was reported by News OnTheWight last summer, councillors (along with the MP) held a meeting with representatives from Southern Water to discuss a number of issues.
Commitments made at IWC meeting
A number of commitments were made at that meeting including:
- Real time water quality monitoring, available to the public
- To make the Island the the most sustainable water Island in Europe
- An end to sewage outflows, starting with Sandown, by building swales, ponds and storage to keep surface water on the Island and not send it out to sea.
- To treat water as a precious commodity
- Provide regenerative farming expertise for the council and farmers.
Quigley: Take exception at MP Bob Seely claiming he has ‘won’ the commitment
In response to Bob Seely’s press release issued today, Cllr Quigley told News OnTheWight,
“I am very pleased that Southern Water have identified that the level of sewage outflows on the Island is unacceptable and welcome their commitment. I do, however, take exception at MP Bob Seely claiming he has ‘won’ the commitment from SW.
“If he had voted in favour of the Duke of Wellington amendment to the Environment bill, their commitment would have had to be zero sewage dumping.”
Cllr Quigley
“Myself and Cllrs Andre, Bacon and Jarman got much bigger commitments from them in the Summer, including making the Isle of Wight the most sustainable Island for water in Europe.”
Villa Vine: Seely’s motivation seemed only apparent after much public outcry
Sea swimmer and campaigner for cleaner waters, Maria Villa Vine, told News OnTheWight,
“I too am pleased to hear of the commitment that Southern Water have made to benefit this Island’s coastal waters. As a sea swimmer I look forward to one day not having to rely on notifications from apps to inform my options of swimming in clean or sewage-laden waters.
“My aspiration is for 100 per cent sewage-free seas, is that not too much to ask for in 2022?
“Bob Seely MP states that he has won the commitment, but is it not interesting that his motivation to do so seemed only apparent after much public outcry? I watch and wait like many other ocean activists with baited breath to see what happens next.”
Quigley: We will continue campaigning
Cllr Quigley finished by telling News OnTheWight,
“We will continue to campaign to stop the remaining 20 per cent of sewage dumping SW haven’t committed too, as even at an 80 per cent reduction, it would still mean 65 incidents of sewage dumping at Gurnard (the worst beach in the country for outflows) and 1.4 hours of discharge in one day near Totland Pier.
“The Island is rightly proud of its beaches and we will continue to fight to make them as attractive as possible, despite the way Bob Seely MP votes in Parliament.”
