Protestors gather with signs and placards outside of Big Ben
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An estimated 15,000 people marched through Central London to protest at the lack of government action over Britain’s polluted waterways.
Protestors initially gathered on Sunday at the Albert Embankment and then headed to Parliament Square. The route was clearly marked out by a stream of blue clothing, as the marchers had been encouraged to wear the colour by the organisers River Action.
The protestors, which included notable personalities such as broadcaster Chris Packham and CEO of campaign group Surfers Against Sewage Giles Bristow, held an array of signs and banners reading: “Stop Polluting for Profit” and “Species not faces”. Many wore vibrant costumes, whilst others marched to the sound of samba music, as the protest made its way along the banks of the River Thames.
Chris Packman addresses thousands of protestors outside of the Houses of Parliament
A key demand of those at the rally was for water regulator Ofwat and for the Environmental Agency to be reviewed. Others demanded stricter penalties for water companies caught violating pollution laws.
It has been previously reported by the Environmental Agency that in 2023, sewage spills into lakes, rivers and seas by water companies in England more than doubled, with 3.6 million hours of spills in 2023 compared to 1.75 million hours in 2022.
Sewage Spills into lakes, rivers and seas by water companies in England more than doubled, with 3.6 million hours of spills in 2023
Keri Trimmer, Associate Director of Engineering consultancy Elliott Wood, joined the protest and described the sewage spills as a “systematic abuse of people and planet for profit”, and said that people have had enough of these companies, especially “when you look at the dividend pay-outs that have occurred with water companies over recent years”.
It has been reported by the Guardian that water industry companies have saddled their organisations with billions of debts whilst extracting using profits from consumers.
The size of the recent protest reflects Londoner’s increased dismay over the management of these water companies.
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Standfirst
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HeadlineThousands gather in Westminster to campaign for cleaner water
Short HeadlineThousands march in support of Campaign for Clean Water
Standfirst130 separate organisations were part of the crowd which gathered in the capital to protest against water company neglect.
An estimated 15,000 people marched through Central London to protest at the lack of government action over Britain’s polluted waterways.
Protestors initially gathered on Sunday at the Albert Embankment and then headed to Parliament Square. The route was clearly marked out by a stream of blue clothing, as the marchers had been encouraged to wear the colour by the organisers River Action.
The protestors, which included notable personalities such as broadcaster Chris Packham and CEO of campaign group Surfers Against Sewage Giles Bristow, held an array of signs and banners reading: “Stop Polluting for Profit” and “Species not faces”. Many wore vibrant costumes, whilst others marched to the sound of samba music, as the protest made its way along the banks of the River Thames.
Chris Packman addresses thousands of protestors outside of the Houses of Parliament
A key demand of those at the rally was for water regulator Ofwat and for the Environmental Agency to be reviewed. Others demanded stricter penalties for water companies caught violating pollution laws.
It has been previously reported by the Environmental Agency that in 2023, sewage spills into lakes, rivers and seas by water companies in England more than doubled, with 3.6 million hours of spills in 2023 compared to 1.75 million hours in 2022.
Sewage Spills into lakes, rivers and seas by water companies in England more than doubled, with 3.6 million hours of spills in 2023
Keri Trimmer, Associate Director of Engineering consultancy Elliott Wood, joined the protest and described the sewage spills as a “systematic abuse of people and planet for profit”, and said that people have had enough of these companies, especially “when you look at the dividend pay-outs that have occurred with water companies over recent years”.
It has been reported by the Guardian that water industry companies have saddled their organisations with billions of debts whilst extracting using profits from consumers.
The size of the recent protest reflects Londoner’s increased dismay over the management of these water companies.
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