Extinction Rebellion to host protest on Southampton's Cobden Bridge

Activists will set up at Cobden Bridge at around 10.30am on Saturday placing satirical blue plaques in the area of Bitterne Park and St Denys. 

The plaques will read: "Southampton Itchen, Constituency of Royston Smith, Conservative Politician, who voted to block an amendment that would have required water companies like Southern Water to stop dumping raw sewage in waterways such as the River Itchen”. 

The organisation says the protest will highlight the "government’s continued failure to tighten environmental regulations and stop profit-grabbing by water companies".

READ MORE: Brambridge: sewage flows into iconic Hampshire chalk stream

Corin Holloway, spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion Southampton said: "We’ve chosen this location because Southern Water is continuing to dump raw sewage directly into the River Itchen, which many people use for recreational activities.

"We want to call out Royston Smith as the MP for Southampton Itchen, which borders the river.

"He has failed to protect his constituents by voting down the amendment to last year’s Environment Bill, which would have obligated Southern Water to put a plan in to stop releasing sewage from its waterworks directly into the river." 

The protest comes as the organisation launches a campaign to protect nature and waterways across the country. 

READ MORE: How Southern Water plans to stop sewage outflow in River Itchen

Gavin Millar a resident and spokesperson for Friends of the Itchen Estuary added: “The Itchen Estuary is a precious open space within Southampton with huge value for recreation, for well-being and for wildlife."

But Southern Water said it is aware of the demonstration and understands the group's concerns. 

“At Southern Water, we play our part in improving the standard of bathing waters, through major investments in treatment works along our 700 miles of coast – and we are working hard to extend our efforts and partnerships with other agencies to make an even bigger positive impact.  

“Customers rightly expect the water industry to eliminate the use of storm overflows, and we are developing our own plans to tackle this issue, while continuing to protect people’s homes from flooding.  

“And while we have an important role to play in enhancing and maintaining water quality, there are a wide range of pollutions which have an impact – contaminated rainwater running off roads and agricultural land, wastewater from privately owned treatment works, boats and animals on the beach such as dogs and seabirds, and the overall steep rise in bathing water users all play a part. That’s why it is so important for all parties to work together.”  

Royston Smith added: "To overhaul and replace all the infrastructure, bill payers would be exposed to the costs (estimated to be over £150bn).

"The Environment Act puts the onus on water companies to deliver a progressive reduction in harm caused by storm overflows - there is no quick or easy fix.

"It is physically impossible to stop all outflows overnight and Extinction Rebellion and the Labour Party know that. They just need to admit it."

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