Local MP, Dame Caroline Dinenage, has called for an improvement on the regulations on testing the quality of bathing water in our seas and rivers.
The Gosport MP used Business Questions to the Leader of the House, Mark Spencer today to push for Parliamentary time to be given to the issue of better water quality. She even invited The Speaker of the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle, to the area for a dip!
With the Gosport constituency’s fantastic Solent location, many of Caroline’s constituents enjoy swimming and water sports all year round. However, current Bathing Water regulations specify that regular water quality testing needs to happen between May and September.
Caroline asked:
“Can we please have a debate on raising the quality of our Bathing water? So many of my constituents love swimming and water sports on the Solent, Mr Speaker, I thoroughly recommend it if you’d like to try it? All year round people do that, but bathing water regulations specify that it only needs to happen between May and September.
“So can we have a debate on how we can improve testing of our seas and our rivers so that more people can enjoy them safely all year round.”
Mark Spencer, Leader of the House Commons said:
“I thank my Rt Hon Friend for her question, I think that she raises an important matter. I’ve certainly seen the Prime Minister engage in bathing in the sea quite regularly recently. We have of coursed introduced the landmark Environment Bill which is aimed at improving our environment and I think she is right to raise the matter.”
Speaking after Business Questions, Caroline said;
“As a regular swimmer at Stokes Bay myself, I understand it’s vital that our coastal waters are safe for bathing and water-sports. I will continue to push Ministers for action to drive improvements in our testing regime.”
ENDS
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Notes to Editors
- Current bathing water regulations can be found at The Bathing Water Regulations 2013 (legislation.gov.uk)
- The Government’s Environment Act 2021 can be found at Environment Act 2021 - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament.
