Protesters flood London in urgent call to save River Wye

More than 150 people, from Powys, Herefordshire and the Forest of Dean, joined thousands in mass protest, urging the government to end the pollution of Britain’s waterways.

Among them was a 3m-metre tall ‘Goddess of the River Wye’ figure, evoking the spirit of the iconic river and the ecosystems at risk.

The colourful Wye contingent dressed in blue and with banners blazing, were united in their desire to see the river cleaned up so it once again becomes a place that children can play and wildlife can thrive.

“Water pollution is not just caused by water companies but also by American-style intensive agriculture that has proliferated along the Wye,” said Richard Tyler, of campaign group Save the Wye.

“While Save the Wye welcomes moves to prevent sewage pollution, this is only a small part of the problem for the Wye.

“We need a water protection zone to reduce all of the pollution entering the river.”

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Campaigners marched alongside 130 other organisations coordinated by River Action, plus celebrities including Chris Packham, broadcaster and activist Carol Vorderman, actor and musician Johnny Flynn (Ripley on Netflix), actor Jim Murray (The Crown), Olympic champion rower Imogen Grant, bestselling author Robert Macfarlane, and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.

Naturalist, nature photographer, television presenter and author Mr Packham said: “So, what is it going to take, because human fatalities are also a real possibility when our water is so polluted.

“And please be aware, this isn’t all about sewage, agricultural run-off is also a killer and must be properly regulated.

“Today we kicked up a stink, if politicians don’t listen, we will get a lot smellier.”

For many on the march, such as Surfers Against Sewage, the main concern is the profiteering water companies that discharge vast volumes of sewage into our rivers and seas.

For those who set off early on Sunday morning on the three coaches from Hay-on-Wye, Hereford and Lydney, their target was agricultural pollution.

Protesters dressed as chickens. (Image: Save the Wye) More than 150 from Powys and Herefordshire took part in the protests, which included members of around 130 different organisations. (Image: Save the Wye) In particular, the huge amounts of chicken manure that is still spread on the land and so washes unchecked into the Wye and its tributaries.

David Gillam, of Save the Wye, added: “The Wye is in failing health. If it was a hospital or a school it would be put in ‘special measures’ so that the right, focused efforts could be made to turn things round.

“The government has the power to designate the Wye as a ‘Water Protection Zone’, enabling the coordinated control of pollution.”

Joseph Emmett, Will Shipley and Dave Prosser-Painting ran a marathon among the River Thames from Walton to Westminster before the march for Clean Water to press the issue that time really is running out for our waterways.

Joseph said: “Like our Run the Wye event last summer, we want to stress that we need solutions to help save our rivers, lakes and seas.

“After all they are all connected, in nature and spirit, and we are too, we need them to allow nature and humans to thrive.”

Save the Wye is calling for:

• A water protection zone for the river – an ecological version of ‘special measures’;

• A Wye recovery fund based on the polluter pays principle;

• Regulations and enforcement to be strengthened as is happening for the Waste Water Industry;

• For consumers to be empowered to support river friendly farming.