Last week I was pleased to host the Port of London (PLA) in Parliament to launch the Clean Thames Action Plan. We are so lucky to have the River Thames on our doorstep and it is thanks to the PLA that we can enjoy it.
In the 1950s the Thames was declared biologically dead as a result of pollution. Today it hosts over 100 species of fish. The mass industrial pollution has been largely addressed.
But now the challenge is litter. And particularly plastic. Thanks to the work of many volunteers, including here in Thurrock, some 400 litter clean ups have been organised in the last five years removing 700 tonnes of debris.
But more needs to be done. Wet wipes remain a huge problem and I am pleased the Government plans to ban wet wipes containing plastic.
We must also tackle the scourge of raw sewage in our river. We are now very close to the Tideway tunnel coming into operation. This will have a transformational impact on reducing storm overflows from the old Bazalgette sewers through Central London. But we need more action from the water companies to see complete elimination of sewage going into the Thames. They need to invest and Ofwat needs to hold them to account where they fail.
It is good to see the progress that has been made in cleaning up the Thames, but there is more to do. I am grateful for the leadership being shown by the PLA and I will continue to support them in all their endeavours.