Newbury’s Rivers Deserve Better: Why We Need a Clean Water Revolution

For too long, people across Newbury and West Berkshire have watched with growing frustration as our rivers and chalk streams have been treated as open sewers.

The River Kennet, the River Lambourn and the River Pang are among the most precious natural habitats in the country. These rare chalk streams are internationally important, supporting wildlife, local communities and the character of our area. Yet year after year, they have been threatened by sewage pollution, underinvestment and the failure of both water companies and regulators to protect them.

Since being elected as MP for Newbury, I have made the protection of our waterways one of my top priorities. I have worked closely with Action for the River Kennet, challenged Thames Water directly, brought together the Environment Agency and local campaigners through regular Clean Water roundtables, and repeatedly raised concerns in Parliament about sewage discharges into our rivers.

But despite these efforts, the reality remains stark.

Residents continue to see reports of sewage entering local waterways, often for hundreds of hours at a time. Earlier this year, I sought answers from the Environment Agency after continued discharges into the Winterbourne stream, including periods of pollution during dry weather when there was no obvious justification for overflows.

This is not simply an environmental issue. It is a story of a broken system.

While rivers have suffered, water companies have loaded themselves with debt, rewarded executives and shareholders, and failed to invest adequately in the infrastructure communities rely upon. Time and again, customers have been expected to pay more while receiving worse outcomes.

That is why I support the Liberal Democrats' call for a wholesale overhaul of the water industry.

As Andy Burnham begins his time in Downing Street, he has an opportunity to deliver the fundamental change that communities like ours have been demanding for years.

First, water companies that have repeatedly failed customers and the environment should be placed into special administration and restructured in the public interest. The current model has not delivered clean rivers, resilient infrastructure or value for money.

Second, we should move towards a customer-owned mutual model, putting water companies back in the hands of the people who depend on them, rather than distant investors focused on extracting profits.

Third, we need stronger regulation. For years, regulators have appeared unable or unwilling to prevent repeated environmental failures. We need a watchdog with real powers to enforce standards, hold polluters to account and ensure investment actually reaches frontline infrastructure.

And finally, there must be complete transparency. The public deserves to know not only when sewage spills occur, but their true environmental impact and volume.

Here in Newbury, I will continue doing what I have done since entering Parliament: bringing together stakeholders, demanding answers from Thames Water and the Environment Agency, supporting local campaigners and fighting for the protection of our rivers and chalk streams.

The people of Newbury have had enough of excuses. The time has come for a clean water revolution—one that puts the environment, local communities and future generations ahead of corporate failure and private profit.