AN environmental group has spoken out about the their disappointment in MPs for not tackling the problem of raw sewage in our waterways.

Surfers Against Sewage have spoken out about accusations Government ministers have not stopped water companies from dumping raw sewage in rivers.

Hugo Tagholm, of the campaign group, said: “We were really disappointed that MPs failed to back the amendment to put a legal duty on water companies to stop raw sewage pouring into our rivers and our oceans.”

It has been reported the cost to make waterways safer could be between £150 billion and £160 billion.

Last week MPs voted 268 to 204, majority 64, to disagree with proposals tabled in the Lords by crossbench peer the Duke of Wellington which sought to place a new duty on water companies to reduce raw sewage discharges into rivers.

Read more: MP: 'I am not some monster that wants to dump sewage into our waters'

Mr Tagholm added: “The amendment that is being called for is reasonable.

“We believe the water companies need to cut into the dividends they make every year to restore our rivers and our coastlines.

“They haven’t got a right to destroy these spaces and need to take the ambitious steps to restore them and we need to make sure the industry is not putting their profits ahead of making our spaces safe.”

Luke Pollard, Labour's Shadow DEFRA Secretary said: “People are right to be upset at the dreadful state of England’s rivers.

“The Government is to blame for allowing water companies to vent raw sewage into our rivers and sea seemingly at will.

“The Conservatives should urgently U-turn on their decision to block the Environment Bill amendment so that water companies are forced to reduce the amount of sewage they pump into our rivers and seas.

Read more: What the Environment Agency says about dead marine life washing up on North East beaches

Downing Street defended the Government’s actions on sewage discharges.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “We completely agree the current failure of water companies to adequately reduce sewage discharges is unacceptable.”

The spokesman said the intentions of the measures being pushed by the Duke of Wellington in the House of Lords were “already being delivered” in the Environment Bill.

The amendment put forward by the peer “remains uncosted” but “the initial assessments are over £150 billion and that would mean that individuals – every one of us taxpayers – paying potentially thousands of pounds each as a result.”

The spokesperson added: “So it’s not right to sign a blank cheque on behalf of customers without understanding the trade-offs and the bills that would be involved.

“But “tougher legal duties” were being placed on water companies and “we will continue to listen to MPs who have legitimate concerns.”

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