Stockport's rivers could be saved from sewage by giving them 'protected status', the Lib Dems say.

The party's candidate to be Hazel Grove's next MP, Lisa Smart, said sewage in waterways is an issue that has not been tackled by the Conservatives.

Recent data showed waters around Greater Manchester are at the centre of a national sewage crisis. This found that the Croal and Irwell had the largest amount of sewage spills in England in 2023.

To make the UK's rivers cleaner, the Lib Dems are proposing to introduce a new 'Blue Flag' status, which would set targets to prevent sewage ending up in protected areas.

It's part of the party's manifesto for the upcoming general election in July – and Stockport seats Hazel Grove and Cheadle are 'critical' targets according to Lib Dem leader Ed Davey.

Ms Smart, who is also a councillor in Stockport, said that sewage dumped into the river Goyt has caused local health concerns. She added: "Teenagers have been left bedridden after playing in the river, and the council is unable to plant new woodland due to the pollution.

Ed Davey at Carr Brook with Tom Morrison, Lib Dem candidate for Cheadle (Image - Alsdair Perry)

"Families should be free to swim safely in the knowledge that our waters are not polluted with sewage. It is time we got tough on polluting and profiteering water firms.

"This scandal has to end now. The Conservative party has failed to protect swimmers and wildlife."

Paul Athans, the Conservative candidate for Hazel Grove, defended the government's record on tackling sewage, and said that stopping all sewage discharges through storm overflows in England could cost the taxpayer billions.

He said: "I'm committed to keeping our wonderful rivers like the Goyt and Mersey clean. No government has done more to tackle cleaning up our waterways than the Conservatives, but there's still more to do.

"I want an end to sewage discharges but unlike the Liberal Democrats, I don't think taxing hardworking people is a solution. I'm committed to making the polluters themselves pay. 

"We're also requiring water companies to invest £56bn into environmental improvements as part of our plan to stop discharges."

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