Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Helena Horton Environment reporter

Watchdog investigating whether Defra breaking laws on cleaning up English rivers

Thames Water water pollution warning notice saying 'Warning, Pollution. Following a category 1 pollution incident upstream, sewage is present in this river. Please avoid contact with the water.'
Thames Water water pollution warning notice in Denham, Buckinghamshire, in March. Photograph: Maureen McLean/REX/Shutterstock

The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) watchdog has launched an investigation into the UK government over potential failures to clean up England’s rivers under EU-derived laws.

The OEP published a report last year saying that plans to clean up waterways were too generic and did not address specific issues at individual sites. It said plans were being put in place despite low government confidence that their objectives could be achieved.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.