A MEETING of Cumberland Council is set to hear a call for the new authority to stand-up for clean rivers, lakes and coasts.

Cumberland Council is set to take over in Carlisle, Allerdale and Copeland on April 1, 2023, it will become the sole authority in the area on that date, replacing the existing city, county and borough councils.

But first, the new council must meet as a Shadow Authority to carry out important preparatory work.

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At its next meeting on Tuesday October 18, the new authority’s Liberal Democrat Group will propose that Cumberland Council formally opposes the pollution of the area’s lakes and rivers.

Water companies are permitted to discharge untreated sewage into England’s waterways during flooding conditions when the system becomes overwhelmed.

However, public figures have raised concerns that the sewage outflows are happening too often, polluting lakes and rivers.

Next week, Councillor Brian Wernham will propose that the council opposes the practice, recommendations include that the chief executive writes to Government calling for more action on sewage outflows.

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Cllr Wernham will also propose that the leadership invites the Environment Agency to a meeting of the council to explain what they are doing to address the issue.

The motion notes that raw sewage has been discharged into the River Esk 55 times for a total of 452 hours, storm outflows also saw 114 discharges into the River Keekle in Cleator Moor.

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