We are coastal community that prides ourselves on our beautiful beaches, a fantastic amenity for residents and drawing countless visitors to Fylde.
That bathing water on Fylde’s beaches are now rated “sufficient”, the lowest level of pass, is therefore worrying. Similarly, I am concerned that the Environment Agency’s annual report for storm overflows showed that United Utilities topped the table for the number of overflows last year.
Rather than a last resort, their use is becoming far too regular occurrence.
While this cannot be resolved overnight, there is real momentum growing around this issue.
The Government’s new Plan for Water puts bathing water quality at its heart. For too long water companies have ignored the need for investment and the Government’s plan recognises that it is only via enforcement action they will sit up and take notice.
Last month I wrote to the industry regulator to back proposals to link pay-outs to performance, ensuring that customers do not fund bonuses or dividends at companies who fail to meet environmental expectations, such as those set out in the new Environment Act.
The Government is supporting these measures by introducing prosecutions and unlimited fines for executives at offending companies and creating a new Water Restoration Fund to make sure that polluters pay to rectify the damage they have caused.
But alongside punishments, we must also encourage preventative upgrades, something I spoke with the flooding minister earlier this week.
I am delighted that the Government’s plan includes £1.6 billion of accelerated private investment into the water network, with £1.1 billion specifically targeting storm overflows. The Government and United Utilities are finalising local projects, with the intention to upgrade 135 storm overflows, alleviating problems like those we have seen here in the Ribble or on Fylde’s beaches.
I am seeking an urgent meeting with the Chief Executive at United Utilities to underline the importance of the issue and ensure that this money delivers for Fylde.
Back on dry land, we are already seeing record levels of investment into Fylde. We have three major highways projects, the M55 link road, A585 Bypass, and the Preston West Distributor Road all nearing completion, while the St Annes Sea Defence upgrades are getting underway.
Looking ahead, the project to reinvigorate St Annes town centre is gearing up for a second run at Government funding. St Annes is home to so many fantastic businesses, but they are let down by the tired layout and facilities in the town centre.
The right plan can re-energise the high street, turning it into the thriving centre I know it can be.
I recently met with senior figures at the Department for Levelling Up to discuss what lessons can be learned from the first bid and I look forward to working with Fylde Borough Council for a renewed proposal that will ensure the town centre is a place we can be proud of for decades to come.