Caroline Newton, the Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Henley and Thame visited the River Thame Conservation Trust (RCTC) this afternoon to hear about this local charity is doing to help improve the health of the River Thame and its catchment area. The River Thame runs through the town of Thame and joins the River Thames at Dorchester. Its catchment area, includes brooks and streams in Chinnor, Lewknor, Watlington and Chalgrove, Wheatley and Stadhampton.
Dr David Fraser, CEO of the RTCT, and his colleagues told her is one of the most polluted of all the catchment areas that feed the Thames, largely because of inadequate capacity in its sewage treatment plants (STPs) to deal with exceptional rainfall, a regulatory system that permits high levels of pollutants from STPs in normal conditions, and run-off of pesticides and fertilisers from agriculture.
Caroline said: "I know the cleanliness of our rivers is one of residents' top priorities in Henley and Thame. It’s one of mine too. As the MP here I’d work to ensure our rivers get the care they deserve by ensuring Thames Water invest adequately in their infrastructure and service; OFWAT and the Environment Agency regulate Thames Water properly; and farmers are supported to prevent polluting run-off. It was a pleasure to meet Dr David Fraser and colleagues at the River Thame Conservation Trust today to hear about the challenges the Thame River catchment faces and what they’re doing to help.
@https://www.facebook.com/thametown
@https://www.facebook.com/chinnorvillagecentre
Love Thame Stadhampton Village notice board. @https://www.facebook.com/RiverThameCT @https://www.facebook.com/RiverThamesSociety
@https://www.facebook.com/dorchesteronthames
