SAS lobby political candidates
Clean water campaigners Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) have sent their Clean Seas And Coastal Protection Manifesto out to all candidates standing in the general election. SAS are also calling on all surfers, waveriders and water users to send a copy of their manifesto to their local candidates asking for their commitment to clean seas for the UK.
Last year 11.6 million UK adults participated in water sports and water based leisure activities at the UK’s coastline, helping to highlight just how popular the coast has now become as a place to pursue healthy and active lifestyles. However, there remain numerous threats to the coastal environment requiring urgent attention, if the nation’s beaches are to remain a favourite place to visit.
When it comes to protecting the UK’s coastline from environmental degradation, passionate water users and voters will look to MP’s to take the lead. It is vitally important that Parliament responds positively to this challenge and continues to take a strong lead on coastal protection issues.
Access to a clean coastal environment will be an important environmental topic for voters at the General Election. With this in mind we are asking that all candidates sign up to promoting the 5 objectives within the manifesto.
We are also urging wave riders and water users to email a copy of SAS’s manifesto to their local candidates.
Five Political Objectives To Preserve And Protect The UK’s Coastal Zone By 2015
To see that all UK coastal bathing waters meet the new EU ‘Excellent Water Quality’ standard for cleanliness in order to protect public health.
To achieve a significant reduction in the number of sewage pollution incidents caused by water companies.
To develop a sustainable sewage strategy for a changing climate.
To have implemented a national marine litter strategy that will protect the UK’s coast from a rising tide of waste.
To ensure that the value of the coastal zone for recreation is not diminished by over zealous developments and that access to the UK’s coast is extended for all to enjoy.
SAS Campaign Director Andy Cummins says: “Waveriders and water users are passionate and protective about their coastal communities. With the coast being so important to so many in the UK we believe clean seas and coastal protection could be an important election issue and one that, incredibly, is being ignored so far.”
