Jess Brown-Fuller MP joins Surfers Against Sewage 'Paddle Out Protest' in Chichester Harbour

On Friday 16 May, Jess Brown-Fuller MP joined campaigners from Surfers Against Sewage as thousands of people across the UK took to the water, shorelines and riverbanks to demand an end to sewage pollution in the country's waterways. 

The Dell Quay event was part of the largest ever national Paddle Out Protest, with communities from across the UK gathering to send a clear message that the dumping of raw sewage into rivers, lakes and coastal waters must end. 

The protest comes at a critical moment for the Chichester constituency. Environment Agency inspections of Southern Water's wastewater assets resulted in over 400 improvement actions being issued across its sites, with fourteen inspections taking place in Chichester alone. Concerns identified included inadequate maintenance, poorly maintained screening equipment, and weaknesses in storm tank management. Storm overflows have been polluting the area's chalk streams and harbour at alarming rates, with the overflow on the River Lavant discharging for over two weeks at the time of writing.  

Jess Brown-Fuller joined campaigners from Surfers Against Sewage to demand an end to sewage pollution in the country's waterways. 

Jess has been a vocal advocate for cleaner waterways and used the event to reaffirm her commitment to holding water companies to account and pushing for stronger protections for the natural environment that communities across the Chichester constituency depend on. She has previously highlighted the continued pollution of waterways in the Chichester area, raising in the continued failures of Southern Water and regulation of the water industry in Parliament.  

Speaking after the protest, Jess said: 

"Chichester Harbour is one of the most treasured natural assets in our constituency, and events like today show just how strongly our community feels about protecting it." 

"The scale of this national protest sends an unmistakable message, and people are fed up with sewage being dumped in our waters, and they are right to be." 

"I will continue to use my platform in Parliament to demand the urgent action needed to clean up our waterways for good."