Protecting Portsmouth's environment to be subject of public meeting after protests against dumping of sewage in the Solent

Earlier this month the campaign group Stop the Sewage: Southsea, who are fighting for cleaner seas, held a ‘protestival' on the beach, protesting at the dumping of sewage into the Solent.

And this week, The News revealed how sewage pollution warning signs are being put up at popular bathing sites in Portsmouth to let people know of recent storm water discharges. However a row has broken out between Southern Water and Portsmouth City Council over who is going to pay for them.

The meeting will be held on Thursday, November 3 between 7pm and 8.30pm at St Mary’s Church in Fratton, and hosted by Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan.

During the meeting a panel of experts will provide information about the role of the Environment Agency and concerns on priorities such as flood protection, air quality and the impact of sewage discharges in the Solent. Guidance on how the community can get involved will also be provided.

Panellists will include representatives from the Environment Agency, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Portsmouth.

Following a short presentation from each panellist, the meeting will open up to a Q&A discussion to give constituents the opportunity to share their thoughts and concerns directly.

The city MP says he will use these views to represent his constituents in Westminster and continue to lobby government for positive environmental change.

Mr Morgan said: ‘Our local environment is under threat. From raw sewage polluting local bathing waters, to ongoing concerns about the quality of the air we breathe.

‘That’s why I’m convening a public meeting to address local concerns about Portsmouth’s precious environment, and feed them back to Ministers in Westminster to hold them to account.

‘All members of Portsmouth’s communities are welcome, and I look forward to what I expect will be an informative and positive discussion on how we can continue to protect Portsmouth’s precious environment.’

The meeting is free to attend but booking is essential. Go to stephenmorgan.org.uk/contact/upcoming-events.