Protecting our rivers
Our constituency is lucky to be home to a number of stunningly picturesque rivers such as the Eden, the Derwent and the Cocker.
However, Penrith & the Border and Workington faced the second and third highest number of sewage outflows of any constituency in England.
This is despite the boss of the company responsible, United Utilities, receiving a renumeration of around £1.4m last year.
This is simply unacceptable.
In summer 2023, to highlight the scale of the problem, I swam the length of the River Eden from Source to Sea alongside two friends. Starting in Mallerstang, just south of Kirby Stephen, we spread the swim over 16 days in summer, passing through Lazonby, Wetheral and Carlisle on our way to Burgh marsh, collecting rubbish in our makeshift craft along the way.
Along the way, we were able to take in the river’s beautiful scenery, including seeing an otter jump out the water three feet in front of us. However, it also brought to our attention how shockingly poor our waterways have been managed and how future generations of Cumbrians may be robbed of their natural heritage if the status quo is allowed to persist.
BBC Radio 4
To hear me talk more about our rivers and the Source to Sea swim, you can click on the link to hear our section from BBC Radio 4.
