19th September 2025
Local MP Freddie van Mierlo joined residents and community leaders today at a protest organised by the Thame Women’s Institute (WI), calling for urgent action to address pollution in the River Thame.
Held on Thursday 18th September on the Old Long Crendon Road bridge, the demonstration brought together campaigners, local residents, and elected representatives including Cllrs Kate Gregory, Hilary Dollman and Martin Baines united in support of the Clean Rivers Campaign.
The River Thame continues to suffer from significant environmental challenges, including untreated sewage discharges, nutrient overloads, and poor ecological health. None of its sub-catchments currently meet the government’s target of “good ecological status,” and recent community monitoring suggests the situation is continuing to deteriorate.
This event sent a clear message that local people are demanding stronger environmental protections, improved water quality, and accountability from both regulators and water companies.
Freddie van Mierlo MP said:
“It was inspiring to stand alongside residents and campaigners who care deeply about the health of our river. The River Thame is in crisis, and this protest shows again just how strongly our community feels.
Since being elected last year, I’ve taken every opportunity to raise the state of our rivers, including the River Thame, with government. Thirty-eight times and counting I’ve asked the government to clean up our rivers for both nature and residents. Liberal Democrats continue to campaign side by side by fantastic advocates like the WI.
I fear that without fundamental reform however - ruled out by the Labour government - the needle will not move fast enough. We need Thames Water taking into special administration, relieving of its debt burden, and restructured so that profits are ploughed back into infrastructure, not dividends”
