River Action and Christchurch Harbour and Marine Society back Christchurch Harbour sewage protesters at BCP Council offices

Hundreds of protesters are set to gather at BCP Council offices tomorrow to call for an end to the “severe” sewage pollution in Christchurch Harbour.

River Action chair Charles Watson said the protest, beginning around 5.45pm, coincides with a debate “forced” on the authority after more than 4,400 Christchurch residents signed a petition calling for better environmental protection for the harbour.

New Forest resident Mr Watson said campaigners also want to see the implementation of a new environmental protection policy for the area.

The proposed new policy will be presented to councillors by Christchurch Harbour and Marine Society secretary Vanessa Rickets, who will outline the need for “appropriate avoidance and mitigation measures” to ensure pollution from new developments cannot continue to damage the harbour’s ecosystem.

Mr Watson said: “In recent years Christchurch Harbour has become the toilet bowl of Bournemouth.

“Huge quantities of raw sewage have been regularly discharged into the River Stour from the wastewater treatment works that serve the Bournemouth conurbation.

“When combined with the even greater quantities of sewage coming down the Avon, Christchurch Harbour at times begins to resemble a literal cesspit.

“Urgent measures are now needed to protect this incredibly important area of biodiversity.”

Supporting the protest, Christchurch Harbour and Marine Society chair Martin Stewart added: “Christchurch Harbour provides a vitally important habitat for a range of endangered species such as Atlantic salmon, sea lamprey and European eel.

“It’s also a massive centre of leisure activities ranging from angling, sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, wild swimming and bird watching. The horrendous pollution levels we are now witnessing poses a huge threat to nature and human health alike.

“BCP Council now needs to urgently step up to protect this long-suffering unique ecosystem.”

Organisers are urging people to come along and wear or bring water activity gear, such as swimwear, goggles, fishing rods, oars, kayaks, lifejackets and dinghies, as well as drums, safety whistles, horns and glow sticks.

A River Action spokesperson said: “This will be a major demonstration… by the people of Christchurch regarding the severe pollution of Christchurch Harbour.

“This is to coincide with a debate that has been forced upon BCP by the delivery of a petition signed by over 4,400 local residents demanding greater environmental protection of the harbour.”

They added: “The harbour is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (and) provides a vital link to the River Avon Special Area of Conservation and plays a key role in the life cycles of several fish species.

“Yet, despite its environmental importance the harbour has been under relentless environmental attack.

“In 2023 alone, untreated sewage was discharged by Wessex Water into the River Avon for 32,577 hours and into the River Stour for 9,634 hours – more than doubling levels recorded the previous year.”

River Action also fears the 2024 sewage discharge figures, due to be published by the Environment Agency before the end of the month, are “expected to show an even worse picture”.