A big win for our rivers; a big defeat for the government

'Only 16% of waterbodies - 14% of rivers - are currently achieving ‘good ecological status’ with no improvement for at least a decade, with the Environment Agency failing to follow through tough action needed against polluters’ (Fish Legal Solicitor today). In today’s High Court judgement, it was concluded the Government had made a fundamental error of law in its decision making, so that:
- The EA (Environment Agency)’s River Basin Management plan covering the Costa Beck, published in December, was unlawful
- The Secretary of State’s decision to sign off on it was also unlawful
- The EA’s consultation on the draft was unlawful.
Probably the first of many such cases!
So that’s why Theresa Coffey ran away from her responsibilities last week!