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Sewage & Flooding
Protecting Newbury's Waterways & Homes
Flooding and sewage are two critical issues facing communities in Newbury and West Berkshire. From the risk of severe flooding in villages like Lambourn to the damaging sewage discharges polluting our precious chalk streams, it’s clear that we need urgent action to safeguard both our homes and our natural environment.
One of my top priorities as your MP is protecting our local chalk streams, which are some of the rarest and most unique waterways in the world. The Kennet and Lambourn chalk streams are not only beautiful but vital for local wildlife and biodiversity. However, they are under threat from pollution, over-extraction, and mismanagement of sewage systems.
I recently raised these concerns in a Westminster Hall debate, where I called on the government to ensure that sewage treatment standards reflect not just population size, but the ecological importance of the waterways they impact. We must ensure these vital habitats are preserved for future generations, and this means holding water companies accountable for their actions.
I’ve been working closely with local environmental groups like Action for the River Kennet (ARK) to push for stronger protections for our chalk streams. I met with ARK recently to hear their concerns and discuss how we can tackle sewage overflows and water quality issues more effectively. Their insights have been invaluable in shaping my approach to these pressing problems.
When it comes to flooding, I’ve visited Lambourn and other flood-prone areas to see first-hand the impact on local residents. We need long-term solutions to prevent future flooding disasters. That’s why I’ve been in direct discussions with Thames Water, Ofwat, and the Environment Agency to demand better infrastructure and flood prevention measures. Just recently, I attended a scrutiny meeting with Thames Water to hold them to account for their failures and to press for more robust flood defences and better water management systems.
Our community deserves better, and I will continue to fight to ensure that our environment is protected, and our homes are safe from flooding and sewage issues. This means calling for stricter regulations on water companies, more investment in flood defences, and immediate action to stop sewage discharges into our rivers and streams.
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I’m here to be a voice on these crucial issues. If you’re affected by flooding or sewage concerns, or have ideas on how we can protect our waterways, please get in touch at lee.dillon.mp@parliament.uk . Together, we can ensure a cleaner, safer environment for everyone in Newbury.