Warning as people at iconic UK seaside spot 'could be swimming in sewage'

People at one of the UK's most famous swimming spots could be swimming in , an MP has warned. Labour's representative in the House of Commons for South Dorset, Lloyd Hatton, told Sir Keir Starmer earlier today at Prime Minister's Questions that the spot is "one of the most iconic bathing sites in all the country", adding he visited last Friday with representatives from neighbouring constituencies to test the water quality. Mr Hatton said: "Currently, the water quality testing at bathing sites is only monitored from mid May to September, which puts the health of all water users at risk."

They could be potentially swimming in pollution or sewage, he then claimed, and asked the prime minister if he would work to ensure year round testing at sites like Durdle Door. Sir Keir said: "Mr Speaker, everybody enjoying our beautiful beaches, lakes and rivers is entitled to know that the water is clean and safe, and that's why we're modernising outdated bathing water regulations, including more regular monitoring sites to reflect local demand.

"But, after years of failure by the party opposite, we're acting through our plan for change for new powers to tackle pollution, including banning bonuses, jail terms for law-breaking bosses and real time monitors of every sewage outlet."

A Defra spokesperson told the Express: "For too long water companies have pumped record levels of sewage into our waterways."

"We are taking urgent action by passing the landmark Water Act, which means polluting water bosses face up to two years in prison and undeserved multi-million-pound bonuses will no longer be paid.

"We are also updating our bathing water regulations, including removing fixed bathing water season dates, so more people can benefit from our beautiful waters."

In May 2024, the then-Conservative government under Rishi Sunak announced that it would launch a consultation later on proposals to reform the Bathing Water Regulations for England.

The proposed changes, officials said, will "drive work to improve bathing water quality, enhance monitoring and enable more flexibility around the dates of the bathing water monitoring season".

Proposals will, for example, include "increasing monitoring outside of the bathing water season and preventing automatic de-designation of existing bathing water sites".

In addition, Defra said it would "seek public and stakeholder views on extending the definition of 'bathers' to include a wider range of water users in addition to swimmers - such as rowers, kayakers and paddle boarders. More information on this consultation will be published in due course".

The next application round was to commence this spring, ministers added.

Then Water Minister, Robbie Moore, said at the time: "The value our bathing waters bring to local communities is incredibly valuable - providing social, physical and positive health and wellbeing benefits to people around the country - and I am pleased to have approved a further 27 new bathing water sites for this year.

"These popular swimming spots will now undergo regular monitoring to ensure bathers have up-to-date information on the quality of the water and enable action to be taken if minimum standards aren't being met.

"I am fully committed to seeing the quality of our coastal waters, rivers and lakes rise further for the benefit of the environment and everyone who uses them."