🌊💧 Bridgend Council Decides Against Legal Action Over Beach and River Pollution 💧🌊
In a recent full council meeting, Bridgend County Borough Council announced it won’t be taking legal action against Dwr Cymru Welsh Water regarding pollution issues affecting local beaches and the River Ogmore. This comes amid plans for 3,000 new homes in the area, sparking concerns about environmental impacts.
Cllr Ian Williams raised questions about the existing pollution, asking what pressures are being applied to organisations like Natural Resources Wales to identify and stop the source. He suggested legal groundwork to ensure measures are in place to prevent future pollution, especially with the anticipated development surge.
While Cllr John Spanswick, leader of the council, expressed no intention of instructing legal officers, he emphasised his commitment to tackling the issue personally. As a trustee of A Peace for Nature, he has been actively engaging with Welsh Water, pushing them through challenging letters and evidence to bring accountability.
Local volunteer groups have also been stepping up, removing thousands of tyres and rubbish from beaches and rivers. Cllr Spanswick made it clear: “We are not the guardians of Welsh Water—that’s Natural Resources Wales. We challenge them regularly.”
Calls for safeguarding the environment have intensified after Ogmore-by-Sea’s bathing water quality was rated poor in 2023 and 2024 due to upstream pollution. The conversation continues as Bridgend navigates the balance between growth and sustainability. 🌿🏘️
Stay tuned for more community updates! 📢 #Bridgend #Pollution #Environment #LocalNews