As South West Water defends a court action from a Devon swimmer, it also claims it has no legal duty to keep waters clean
South West Water is claiming it has no legal obligation to keep rivers and seawater clean of sewage in its defence against a Devon swimmer who is taking the water company to court.
Jo Bateman, who attempts to swim every day off the coast of Exmouth, is taking legal action against South West Water, claiming its frequent sewage discharges into the sea have taken away her legal right to a public “amenity”.
However, in its defence to Ms Bateman’s claim, seen by i, the water firm states no one has a legal right to swim in the sea.
England really needs to get right to roam legislation like Scotland. It would make it more difficult for companies to make claims like this and make it clear that everyone has a responsibility to keep nature clean as its a shared resource