AN MP has backed a campaign to tackle sewage spills around the country, despite voting against a proposal to cut such dumping into waterways.

Sally-Ann Hart, MP for Hastings and Rye, joined Surfers Against Sewage at an event in Parliament last week to show her support for its campaign to reduce sewage pollution and increase the number of designated bathing areas.

However, Ms Hart was one of 283 MPs to vote down part of an amendment to the Environment Bill that would have enforced a legal responsibility on sewage companies to crack down on the release of raw sewage into rivers and coastal waters during heavy rainfall.

The section would have required firms to “take all reasonable steps to ensure untreated sewage is not discharged from storm overflows” and “demonstrate improvements in the sewerage systems”.

In a statement published in November, Ms Hart condemned “misinformation on social media” and said: “I have never and will never ‘vote to dump sewage’ in our watercourses and seas.

“We cannot fix 60 years of under-investment overnight with a blanket ban on sewage discharges. This would be unrealistic and would cause sewage to back up into people’s homes, on our streets and pavements.

“After years of successive governments avoiding this issue, I am really proud that it is this Conservative government which is tackling it.”

Ms Hart said the government’s Environment Act enshrines better protections into law, with the government now wielding powers to set new binding environmental targets.

Speaking about the campaign event, she said: “I know from speaking to residents across Hastings and Rye how important reducing sewage pollution is to many people locally, and I was pleased to join Surfers Against Sewage at their recent event in Parliament to show my support for their ongoing campaign.

“Last year’s Environment Act was a big step in the right direction, empowering government ministers to better hold water companies to account, but I know more work needs to be done to ensure bathing waters - both coastal and inland - are better protected for the enjoyment of all.”

Ms Hart and Surfers Against Sewage were approached for comment.