The leader of Northumberland County Council is set to push for faster action after one of the county's most stunning beaches was deemed "unsafe" due to sewage discharges.
Earlier this month charity Surfers Against Sewage urged the public to stay away from 83 beaches up and down the country due to sewage discharges - including several in the North East.
Among them was Spittal Beach near Berwick, while Northumberland's Warkworth, Amble Links, Druridge Bay and Blyth South were also affected by the alert.
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Speaking at last week's meeting of the county council, Berwick East councillor Georgina Hill asked council leader Glen Sanderson what the council was doing to stop the issue. Spittal Beach is part of the independent councillor's ward.
She said: "Spittal Beach in my ward is one of 83 beaches in the country which has been deemed unsafe because of raw sewage being dumped into the sea. This is certainly not the first time.
"Does the council have plans to take this up with the local water company and/ or the Government?"
Responding, Coun Sanderson described Spittal as "one of the jewels in the crown" of Northumberland's coastline. He suggested he would put pressure on both Northumbrian Water and the Environment Agency to act quicker.
Coun Sanderson said: "This is not specifically a council issue although we are involved. Spittal Beach is a lovely beach.
"I was there just before the weekend. It is one of the jewels in the crown of our coastline so it's very important people can enjoy it without fear of pollution of any kind. The council is working with the Environment Agency and Northumbrian Water on water quality issues."
Coun Sanderson also referenced new targets set out by the Department for Environment, Food And Rural Affairs in 2022. By 2035, water companies will have to to improve all storm overflows discharging into or near every designated bathing water; and improve 75% of overflows discharging to high priority nature sites.
Furthermore, by 2050, the same rules will apply to all remaining storm overflows covered by DEFRA's targets, regardless of location. Overflows that are causing the most harm will be addressed first to make the biggest difference as quickly as possible, and the Government has said water companies will be expected to consider nature-based solutions in their planning.
Coun Sanderson continued: "The county council is aware of the response to DEFRA's announcement of 2022, of the storm overflows discharge reduction plan, which sets stringent targets to protect people and the environment from storm overflows. As we all know, what causes the issue is when there's heavy rain - that's when they are allowed to exude sewage along with flash flood waters.
"This plan is focused on the reduction of surplus storm overflows and 19 high priority storm overflows have been identified in Berwick. A number of those are located in Spittal. These high-priority storm overflows have been targeted by Northumbrian Water for work in 2025-2030 and we might see if we can get them to move a little bit quicker on that if we can.
"It will happen, and the work will help to further improve the water quality on that lovely beach."
Speaking after the meeting, Coun Hill said: “I am grateful for the Leader’s support on this especially in terms of the timescales. Northumbrian Water and the Environment Agency need to address this issue as a matter of urgency.
"Spittal Beach is a fabulous beach and those who swim there, which include myself, are prepared to embrace the cold waters and face the odd relatively benign jellyfish but not a dollop of raw sewage!"
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