Chichester’s MP, Gillian Keegan, confirms that plans are going ahead to protect the River Ems.
In a recent meeting with the Environment Agency’s Area Director, Simon Moody, Gillian was given further information on plans to mitigate the impact of water abstraction on the rare chalk stream and update Portsmouth Water’s licence agreements. Simon confirmed plans are underway to implement a water supplementation scheme at the site during times of low flow. This will pump water back into the river to protect the local wildlife and the wider ecosystem.
The campaign to end over-abstraction has been championed by the MP who has been supporting The Friends of the River Ems community group and local councillor, Roy Briscoe. As the area’s MP, Gillian has been working closely with the Environment Agency and Portsmouth Water to ensure solutions are found. Longer-term, Gillian has been working to encourage the water company to rely on other sources of water, such as the soon to be built Havant Thicket Reservoir.
In the meantime, the MP welcomed the new plans saying, “This is a major step in the right direction and will ensure the river’s ecosystem is not damaged by over-abstraction. I will continue to work closely with Cllr. Briscoe and the community, until we are satisfied the River Ems is properly protected.”
Gillian has also made representations to the JNCC (Joint Nature Conservation Committee) for them to consider the river for environmental protection status.
Simon Moody, added, “If this summer’s trial goes well Portsmouth Water will look to make permanent changes to their infrastructure to better protect this river’s important habitat. This project is a collaborative effort, and I am grateful to Portsmouth Water for working so closely and openly with us and the community to develop these plans. I am also considering what longer-term changes may be required in the area to reduce pressures on our chalk streams”
