ACTIVISTS from Teignbridge took part in and supported the Paddle Out Protest on Saturday at Plymouth Hoe.

This was in protest at recent discharges of sewage into the sea.

Mike Puleston, an activist with Ocean Rebellion, reports:

‘On the back of an apology a few days ago from the CEO Ruth Kelly of Water UK which is the group representing the privatised water utility companies in this country.

‘There are today thousands of people taking to the water and shores at 12 locations around the UK to protest about the water companies that are essentially using our rivers, waterways and inshore waters as an open sewer.

‘Feelings are running very high the public is saying enough is enough of becoming ill when swimming in the sea and a river near them.

‘The so called apology has backfired given along with the announcement from Ruth Kelly is the the fact that all of us who pay these privatised companies water bills are expected to significantly pay more for their 30 years of incompetence and cover up’s while their shareholders will be paid an estimated 14 billion pounds in dividends by the end of the decade.

‘The amazing people here today at Tinside Beach in Plymouth are taking to the water to shout their disapproval and say enough is enough.

‘It is clear that apologies for polluting our aquatic environments are not enough, basically all the people here today do not trust and believe that the situation will improve from what is being said by UK Water or our local water utility SWW.

‘The protests need to be stepped up and the profiteering companies brought back into public ownership at the moment none of the major political parties are prepared to do this.

‘Therefore I would suggest we need a campaign of mass non-payment of profiteering water bills and as many people as possible engage in campaigns to highlight local pollution and seek action from politicians and water companies both locally and nationally wherever they live.

‘The passion shown here today in Plymouth has been very moving from children to Grandparents alike, people have come her today from all over Devon including several from Teignbridge in fact I met a grandmother from Newton Abbot earlier who said she had never protested before but felt very motivated to make her voice heard today and thanked Surfers against Sewage for organising the event today.’

SWW has been asked to comment.