AROUND 200 people took part in a ‘Dirty Water’ protest at Teignmouth’s Back Beach on Saturday, January 28.

A Dirty Water Blue Plaque was unveiled as part of the protest.

This was part of the Dirty Water Nationwide Protests, a campaign involving Extinction Rebellion and a broad range of campaigning groups which say they want to highlight the ongoing pollution of the seas and inland waterways.

Local Extinction Rebellion spokesperson Mike Puleston said: ‘I think the fantastic turnout of around 200 protesters and activists from Teignbridge, Totnes, Exeter and even Sidmouth speaks volumes about the concerns and strength of feeling about the fact that storm overflow discharges are continuing to pollute not only the ecologically rich and beautiful River Teign estuary but rivers, lakes and coastal areas throughout the UK.

‘The action today in Teignmouth is one of hundreds happening right now across the UK.

‘The protest today was to call out Newton Abbot MP Anne Marie Morris who voted like 264 other Tory MPs against The Duke of Wellington’s elements of Lords Amendment 45 which would place a new duty on sewerage undertakers in England and Wales to make improvements to their sewerage systems and demonstrate progressive reductions in the harm caused by discharges of untreated sewage’

This has been heavily refuted by the MP (see right).

‘Today we had some powerful speeches by wild swimmer Peta Howell, Martin Wrigley Lib dem Parliamentary candidate for Teignbridge, Annie Mitchell Extinction Rebellion Psychologists and David Cox councillor who has campaigned for SWW to improve the water quality at Teignmouth.

‘I look forward to Anne Marie Morris’s response to the protest today, essentially the Dirty Water Campaign is to pressure government and commercial interests to clean up their act.

‘Setting targets which continually get set back will not actively clean up our seas, lakes,rivers and waterways – we need real action! Time is running out as our freshwater biodiversity crashes due to many forms of pollution and over extraction.

‘There will be further protests and demands as Wave two of our Dirty Water campaign continues.’

Mike said there were ‘excellent speeches’ from local politicians, concerned residents, wild swimmers and there was great conversation between the many groups who made their voices heard.

A plaque was unveiled by a member of Extinction Rebellion Teignmouth/Newton Abbot to much applause.

‘As our MP wasn’t able to accept our invitation to the event, we provided an empty chair and a bucket of river water as an alternative.

‘Thanks to everyone who came today and made their voices heard to protest at the ongoing pollution of the marine environment and freshwater habitats.

‘A special thanks also to The Green Spirits and Devon Drummers who powerfully added to the power of the protest.’