CAMPAIGNERS from Brent River Park and its surrounding area will join the March for Clean Water, organised by River Action UK on October 26.
Rock star turned environmental champion Feargal Sharkey, River Action UK’s vice-chair, is asking people to join him in central London to protest about the shocking level of pollution in Britain’s waterways.
He is calling on “a coalition of the concerned” to demand the Government take immediate action to end the poisoning of rivers, lakes and seas by raw sewage, agricultural waste and other chemical pollutants.
Ben Morris, founder of the Clean Up The River Brent campaign (CURB), has been working with Ealing litter picking group LAGERCan and other volunteers to pull tons of rubbish from the river since 2021.
In 2023. CURB developed a low-cost pollution monitoring system. This is being trialled on the River Brent with the support of the Environment Agency.
Mr Morris explained: “We will be marching on October 26 because our beautiful River Brent is being badly abused.
“We have pollution from sewage waste, road run-off, food production and fly-tipping ravaging the habitats of beavers, eels, kingfishers and other wildlife.
“It creates a destructive knock-on effect for the Brent’s connected greenspaces and a health hazard for residents.
“We call on Thames Water, the Environment Agency, central government and local authorities to stop this desecration as a matter of urgency.”
The Brent runs through Ealing borough from Perivale in the north to Boston Manor.
Feargal Sharkey shared CURB’s video of a pollution outfall on the Brent and acknowledged the group’s support for the march.
The Brent River Park charity has vowed to continue its 50-year campaign to protect and enhance the river and its surrounding green spaces.
Charity trustee Steven Toft said: “We are having constructive discussions with Ealing Council about the Brent River Park becoming an official regional park, protecting the floodplain and building on rewilding efforts.
“It is scandalous to have such a highly-polluted river running through the middle of it.”
To become a free member of the Brent River Park charity, visit thei website:www.brentriverpark.org Twitter / X and Instagram @BrentRiverPark
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