Political opinion with Alison Griffiths MP: Our coast is not a dumping ground
In her weekly column for Sussex World, Alison Griffiths – MP for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton – writes about the anger felt following Channel 4’s Dirty Business, and invites residents to have their say.
Like many people locally, I watched Channel 4’s Dirty Business with real concern and frustration.
People are fed up with sewage pollution, being fobbed off, and feeling they are the ones paying the price.
This matters so much here because our coastline is part of who we are.
Our beaches, sea, and waterways are used by residents, swimmers, families, and visitors right across our area. As a regular sea swimmer myself, I know how important it is that people feel confident getting into the water, not worrying about what might be in it.
Southern Water has already admitted serious failings in the past and paid very substantial fines. Residents understandably ask a simple question: why should customers be expected to pay more?
That is a fair question.
This is not just about pollution. It is about trust, accountability, and fairness.
I have been raising this in Parliament, making clear that the costs of failure must not be passed on to the public. I continue to engage directly with Southern Water about infrastructure investment, monitoring, and what real progress looks like in practice.
But people want more than words.
They want answers, they want transparency, and they want to know that someone is prepared to stand up for them.
That is why I am holding a public meeting on Southern Water. I want residents to be able to hear directly, ask questions, and get clear answers about what is happening and what will change.
If you are concerned about sewage pollution, water quality, or rising bills, I would strongly encourage you to sign up and attend. Details are available on my website.
I will keep pressing Southern Water, regulators, and the Government, and I want to hear directly from you as we continue to push for change.
Because cleaner water, fairer bills, and proper accountability are the very least our community should expect.