LIB DEMS – THIS ELECTION IS CHANCE TO VOTE TO SAVE THE RIVER WYE

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have stated that this Thursday’s election represents a historic chance to save Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe’s rivers. 

The Party has accused both UK Conservative Ministers and Welsh Government Labour Ministers of neglecting the crisis and allowing Water Company bosses to go unpunished.

The River Wye, Tawe and Usk have all been found to be in poor condition over recent years and impacted by the sewage dumping scandal. 

The River Tawe was ranked the 10th most sewage-filled in the UK in 2023 with 2,592 spills lasting over 22,776 hours. The River Usk experienced 1,864 sewage dumps lasting 15,439 hours, while the River Wye had 2,024 dumps lasting 13,853 hours. 

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have committed to banning executive bonuses for water company bosses, replacing Ofwat with a regulator with real teeth and extending blue flag status from beaches to rivers. 

The bosses of Dwr Cymru (which markets itself as a non-profit) have received over £1 million in bonuses since 2020. Welsh Water also has some of the highest bills in the UK, despite the abundance of fresh water and failure to invest in sewage infrastructure.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Candidate for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe David Chadwick said: 

“This Thursday voters have a real chance to stand up for our incredible natural wildlife and environment in Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe. 

A vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote to ensure that water companies are no longer allowed to get away with dumping raw sewage into our precious rivers and ripping customers while doing it. 

Our current Conservative MP has failed time and time again to back votes calling for tougher regulation on Water Companies and sewage dumping. 

It’s time for a fresh start, and I pledge to be a strong voice for our communities on these vital issues that matter so much to local people.”

Adding her comments, Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader and Mid & West Wales Senedd Member Jane Dodds said: 

“I’ve been campaigning to clean up our local rivers for years now. While the Conservatives hold a lot of the blame here I’ve also seen first hand in the Senedd Welsh Government Ministers who refuse to accept their responsibility for Dwr Cymru. 

Labour has cut Natural Resources Wales budget multiple times, leaving it with fewer and fewer resources to monitor sewage pollution. They have also cut the rural affairs budget as a whole. 

I will continue to fight for our local rivers in the Senedd, but we also need David’s voice in the UK Parliament fighting for their future. With the data showing this race is going to be extremely close between David and the Conservatives, I am urging all those who care about our natural environment to back David this Thursday.”