Emma Dearnaley

Environmental charity files legal challenge over government’s inaction on Thames Water

Spread the love

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/environmental-charity-files-legal-challenge-over-governments-inaction-thames-water

 Thames Water delivering a temporary water supply from a tanker, August 2022

ENVIRONMENTAL charity River Action filed a legal challenge today against the government’s lack of preparation for temporary nationalisation of floundering water companies.

The group argues that Environment Secretary Steve Reed has acted unlawfully by failing to develop or publish policy on when he would put failing firms into special administration.

Campaigners pointed to Thames Water as a clear candidate for special administration, citing repeated breaches of its statutory and licence obligations.

Thames was revealed earlier this month to be the worst polluter of all the water firms in Britain, accounting for 44 per cent of incidents classified as “serious.”

…

River Action head of legal Emma Dearnaley said: “The government has the power but won’t use it, or even explain when it might trigger this process.

“Apparently, the government has no policy at all. That’s a fundamental failure of transparency and accountability — and it’s unlawful.”

She added: “We need water companies that serve customers and protect our rivers, not prioritise financial returns to investors.

…

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/environmental-charity-files-legal-challenge-over-governments-inaction-thames-water

Continue ReadingEnvironmental charity files legal challenge over government’s inaction on Thames Water

River Action hires top litigator as it intensifies its efforts to hold polluters account

Spread the love

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/river-action-hires-top-litigator-it-intensifies-its-efforts-hold-polluters-account

People take part in the Clean Water march in central London, to demand tougher action on keeping the UK’s rivers and seas clean, November 3, 2024

THE River Action campaign has hired a top litigator as it intensifies efforts to hold polluters account and restore Britain’s waterways.

Emma Dearnaley, previously legal director at the Good Law Project, will join the group as its new head of legal in January.

She fought several cases in her former job, including a successful challenge against the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs that led to the government expanding the scope of its Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan to include coastal waters.

River Action chief executive James Wallace said: “This is a shot across the bow for polluters and the government alike.

“The law is one of our strongest tools, not only to compel polluters to repair and update their infrastructure but also to compel the government to adequately fund environmental regulators.

“After 14 years of budget cuts, it’s time for the Environment Agency to have the resources to enforce the law against agricultural, sewage and chemical polluters and for Ofwat to stop water companies polluting for profit.”

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/river-action-hires-top-litigator-it-intensifies-its-efforts-hold-polluters-account

Continue ReadingRiver Action hires top litigator as it intensifies its efforts to hold polluters account