AN MP has called on the Government to “take action and clean up the Thames”.

Layla Moran, Lib Dem MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, in a Westminster Hall debate she secured, called on the Government to grant applications for bathing water status for the River Thames on Port Meadow in Oxford.

Ms Moran highlighted concerns raised by the Oxford Rivers Project that untreated sewage had been released around 60 times last year, and that water testing at Port Meadow had found that the water was of ‘poor quality’. She highlighted that even Thames Water are in support of the Government granting these applications.

She also shared her constituents' experiences of swimming on Port Meadow, with many saying how they suffered illness as a result of entering the water. 

Read also: River users furious at Wantage and Henley MPs vote against amendments to eco bill

This comes after Conservative MPs voted against amendments to the Environment Bill that would have placed a legal duty on water companies not to dump sewage into rivers.

Ms Moran said: “This application has garnered support from across our community. The scores of constituents who have written in to me about this subject highlights the strength of feeling that exists. These applications have the backing of our community, the water company, and our councils - now the ball is in Defra’s court to grant them.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to represent my community and raise this for them in Parliament, and I remain hopeful that Port Meadow will see bathing water status granted in the near future.”

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