Lewes constituency’s MP votes to end sewage scandal and introduce a new blue flag river status

Lewes’ Liberal Democrat MP, James MacCleary, has voted in Parliament to introduce a new ‘blue flag’ status for rivers and chalk streams.

Labour and Conservative MPs failed to vote for the motion, blocking it. 

The Lib Dem motion would have created a new Blue Flag status for rivers and chalk streams with measures to guarantee the river clean and safe to swim in. This forms part of the Party’s ‘blue corridor’ programme to clean up our waterways.

James MacCleary is leading the charge to clean up the River Ouse and the Cuckmere, tackling the scandal of sewage dumping, and pushing for Seaford Beach to receive coveted Blue Flag status.

To qualify for blue flag status, an area must meet a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety-related and access-related criteria. This would include:

• year-round quality water monitoring
• regular biodiversity assessments
• robust legally binding targets to prevent sewage dumps
• a whole catchment approach to prevent dumps up or downstream of the Blue Flag
• the appointment of a local community group to represent the river and lead on community engagement

The Government’s own data has revealed that over 3.6 million hours of sewage was pumped into waterways in 2024. Liberal Democrat analysis revealed that the longest sewage spill of 2024 was by water company, South West Water, from one outlet dumping into Salcombe Regis Stream for 366 days - thanks to the leap year.

A YouGov poll revealed that the Liberal Democrats policy on blue flag status for rivers was the most popular policy at the last general election amongst voters.

Commenting, James MacCleary, MP for the Lewes constituency, said:  “It is a scandal that water companies have been allowed to blight beautiful rivers and waterways across Sussex with filthy pollution. For too long, water companies – aided and abetted by a lax regulator and a negligent Conservative Party – have polluted our rivers whilst charging customers more and more for the privilege.

"Residents across Seaford, Lewes, Polegate, Newhaven, Willingdon, Stone Cross and our surrounding local villages are sick of watching our precious rivers like the Ouse and the Cuckmere being treated like open sewers. While water bosses collect bonuses, families are left with flooded streets and polluted streams. This is environmental vandalism, and I won’t stop until we’ve got a regulator with teeth and an end to this national scandal.

“It is in Parliament’s gift to enact change and clean up our waterways and everyone should have the right to enjoy clean rivers which are safe. So it’s hugely disappointing that Labour and Conservative MPs have failed to back a new Blue Flag status for rivers like the Ouse and chalk streams like the Cuckmere that would help to guarantee that right. 

“I and the Liberal Democrats will keep standing up for swimmers, for our wildlife and for bill payers - holding water companies to account for their environmental vandalism.”

Liberal Democrats would introduce a new “Blue Flag” status for rivers and chalk streams with measures to guarantee the river is clean and safe to swim in. This will be vital not just for swimmers and wildlife, but also in holding water companies to account. Currently, if a river has Bathing Water status, it simply means it is tested more frequently, but these sites may not be any cleaner. 

The previous press release on longest sewage spills can be found here.

Reporting on YouGov’s poll can be found here.