Ipswich MP Dan Poulter calls for River Gipping investigation

MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich Dr Dan Poulter has called for urgent action from the Environment Agency over pollutants found in the River Gipping.

It was recently confirmed that five chemicals had been released into the river, stretching from Ipswich to Stowmarket, near where it meets the River Orwell.

Dr Poulter recently opened the new footbridge the River Gipping Trust have built near Baylham Mill and heard from the trust that levels of pollutants in the river had risen this year.

Dr Dan Poulter MP at the opening of the footbridge over the River Gipping. Credit: River Gipping Trust (Image: River Gipping Trust)

He has now written to the Environment Agency to ensure that a full and urgent investigation takes place, and that action is taken against any individuals or companies found to be responsible for the pollution.

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He said: "Pollution of the River Gipping with harmful chemicals is unacceptable.

Dr Dan Poulter with the River Gipping Trust over the river. Credit: Dr Dan Poulter MP (Image: Dr Dan Poulter MP)

"The Environment Agency now needs to take urgent action by investigating what has happened and taking action against those responsible.

"We must find and stop the source of this contamination to protect human health and the environment and wildlife from these harmful toxins."

The five man-made chemicals found in the river were not in production before 75 years ago, with one of them being banned in the country since 2006.

The chemicals are associated with an increased risk of cancer, kidney problems and thyroid disease.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: "The chemicals referred to are part of a group of over 9,000 poly and perfluoroalkyl chemicals known as PFAS.

"PFAS are a very diverse group of chemicals with a wide range of household and industrial uses, some of which are already highly restricted.

"PFAS have been in use for over 70 years and are considered highly persistent and mobile in the environment, this means we will continue to detect them for many years, despite restrictions, so they will continue to occur in the River Gipping.

How the River Gipping looked last year. Credit: Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

"Defra and the Environment Agency, working closely with other regulators, have set up a coordinated programme of work on PFAS.

"This initiative will help us assess levels occurring in the environment, their sources, and the potential risks, to inform future policy and regulatory approaches.

"The Environment Agency is assessing how additional controls, such as through environmental permitting or targeting high risks sites via other regulatory processes, can be effective to reduce risks of PFAS.

"For example, there is one site on the Gipping, upstream of Horseshoe Weir in Ipswich that is now being sampled on a monthly basis for PFAS."