During a recent visit to the underground network beneath Brighton, I was reminded of the hidden infrastructure that supports our daily lives while often going unnoticed.
The Victorian drainage system installed in the late 1800s extends approximately 44 miles underneath the city. This remarkable feat of engineering demonstrates the vision of those who constructed facilities that the city still partially relies upon today.
However, entering through the Black Rock pumping station and meeting the dedicated personnel who maintain our water systems also highlighted a concerning reality: much of this infrastructure faces significant pressure and was never intended to handle the demands of a contemporary city or address climate challenges. For years, inadequate investment has resulted in river and coastal contamination, with consumers bearing the cost through increased charges.
Following the Channel 4 programme titled Dirty Business, which examined serious issues within the water sector and its environmental effects, numerous residents have contacted me. Public anger is entirely justified, as people have strong feelings about protecting waterways and reject the notion that sewage releases should be considered acceptable in modern society.
Their concerns are valid. Access to clean water is not a privilege but a fundamental requirement. For a seaside community such as ours, it also underpins the local economy, public wellbeing and natural surroundings.
For this reason, I recently held discussions with Southern Water’s chief executive regarding resident concerns. New facilities are crucial, and investments such as the treatment works in Peacehaven within my constituency illustrate positive progress. However, there must be considerably more determination and responsibility regarding water system operations.
The government is actively addressing these matters. Legislation has been enacted to eliminate excessive bonuses for water companies responsible for environmental damage, and a recent review has proposed numerous changes to how the industry operates and is overseen.
Much remains to be accomplished, with both government and local communities recognising the urgency of creating a water system appropriate for the 2020s and 2030s rather than the Victorian period.
Another significant environmental matter I have pursued for many months concerns the handling of dredged materials from Brighton Marina.
Readers may recall that permission to expand disposal operations at a location in Rottingdean, situated within the Beachy Head Marine Conservation Zone, was refused following legal action initiated by Sussex Wildlife Trust and local activists. I backed this challenge and collaborated with residents to oppose continued use of this site due to environmental risks. Consequently, proposals for a fresh temporary permit to continue disposal near our coastline are disappointing. I trust that community opposition will be considered before any determination regarding this permit.
This week has also generated considerable discussion in Westminster and locally about energy security and the sharp increase in fuel costs stemming from the conflict in Iran. The government is already implementing measures, and households throughout Sussex will see energy expenses decrease by more than £100 on average from the coming week. A longer-term challenge also exists, and the lesson from price increases resulting from the Iran conflict and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is that the sole sustainable solution for protecting consumers and businesses is abandoning reliance on volatile fossil fuel markets and transitioning to renewable, clean and dependable energy. This is the approach Labour has pursued, with substantial investment in renewable sources, including approval for the Rampion 2 offshore wind development, which will supply electricity to over one million additional homes in Sussex and decrease dependence on fossil fuel markets. Energy security, climate protection and reducing household costs represent major challenges requiring appropriate national attention.
Regarding last weekend’s impressive victory over Liverpool, there are few finer experiences than being at the Amex stadium on a sunny afternoon watching such excellent performance, and witnessing the team deservedly defeat the reigning champions was tremendous.
No match this upcoming weekend due to the international break, but renewed optimism surrounds the club regarding potential season-end positioning.