Chester's MP has called on the Government to reconsider the rejection of designated bathing water status for part of the River Dee in the city.

Cheshire West and Chester Council worked with local groups and other key stakeholders to submit an application to the Department for Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) as part of their Clean Dee campaign.

It came after a survey found some people had reported being ill after being in contact with polluted water, with a report by a cross-party council task group adding: “Infections and illness, some very serious, have been experienced by some people after contact with polluted water.”

A site on Sandy Lane was identified as potentially usable for designated bathing status, which would ultimately ensure action is taken to improve water quality on the river, through requirements to test regularly, identify the sources of pollution and to recommend improvement measures..

But it was revealed last week the application was not successful because it did not meet the new threshold of “100 bathers per day”.

'River fills local people with immense pride'

Samantha Dixon, MP for the City of Chester, has written to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, The Rt Hon Steve Barclay MP, urging him to reconsider the DEFRA decision.

In her letter, she wrote: “I am writing to you to express my disappointment and disagreement in the recent decision rejecting designated bathing water status for part of the River Dee in Chester.

“This decision comes as a blow to local residents and campaigners, including members of the Clean Dee campaign, who feel passionately about this issue.

“Our river fills local people with immense pride, and I am grateful for the work that Cheshire West and Chester Council along with local groups and other key stakeholders put into the application.

“I understand that the application for a designated bathing water at the popular bathing spot at Sandy Lane was not successful because it did not meet the new threshold of '100 bathers per day' – a requirement introduced while the consultation period was under way.

'Tick box exercise'

“Moving the goal posts halfway through the consultation period seems to have had a significant hindrance on the application and renders the process as a whole unsatisfactory.

“Over the last year, I have worked hard on campaigning to improve the water quality in our beloved river. Through convening quarterly River Dee Summits, which bring together local environmentalists, residents and local groups to discuss the action needed to improve our water quality, I have seen the passion Cestrians have for this issue.

“Support for designated bathing water status in the consultation was overwhelming. Unfortunately, the consideration of the application seems to have ignored the importance of this issue to the local community and became a ‘tick box’ exercise.

“Bathing water designation is an important first step to ensure action is taken to improve water quality through requirements to test regularly, identify the sources of pollution and to recommend improvement measures.

“Given the importance of this issue, I urge you to reconsider the negative decision and would welcome a meeting to discuss this issue further."

The MP added: “It was deeply disappointing to hear that the Government rejected Chester’s application for designated bathing water status. The river is not only a crucial asset to our city but a vital part to our nature and biodiversity. Securing this status is an important step towards the wider ambitions to improve water quality.

“I am proud of the work we have achieved so far on this issue and I will continue to press this issue further at every opportunity.”

Campaigner for the River Dee and member of the Clean Dee campaign and open water swimming group Chester Frosties, Dianne Parrish commented: “The new criteria brought in mid-way through the consultation period is wholly unacceptable.

“There are literally 1,000s of people coming into contact with the River Dee water; and not just swimmers; rowing, boating, canoeing, fishing, carnival floats, etc, over many weeks of the year; all well-established events. The Dee Mile, for example, is one of the oldest river swim events in the world, but all this was not allowed to be included. I also don't understand why young children paddling was removed from the criteria.

“All river users require public health protection."

Defra has said that applications which do not meet essential criteria, which include how many people bathe there, if the site has suitable infrastructure (including toilets) and if measures are taken to promote bathing at the waters, do not proceed to national consultation.

The nearest clean water bathing status waterway to Chester is in West Kirby.