New figures released by the Environment Agency have shown that Thames Water discharged sewage a staggering 16,990 times last year, a 112% rise compared to in 2022.

This follows an independent investigation last year which revealed one of the firm's Kingston sewage outflow pipes was unmonitored for 73.6 percent of 2021.

Sir Ed Davey MP recently visited Green Park Rec (Photo: Liberal Democrats)

Leader of the Liberal Democrats and MP for Kingston and Surbiton Ed Davey recently visited Green Lane Rec near Thames Water's Hogsmill processing plant.

"It is a complete scandal that filthy sewage is being pumped into our local rivers and waterways," he commented.

"Our community should not be forced to put up with this any longer. Time and again this Conservative government has voted against tougher action on sewage dumping."

The MP says the area has been flooded by an "avalanche" of sewage in recent years, and is now calling for a national environmental emergency to be declared.

The Liberal Democrats have called for a ban on bonuses for water company bosses whose firms have dumped sewage into waterways, along with replacing Ofwat with a tougher regulator.

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In a recent press release, the party said: "Conservative MPs have consistently voted against measures which would have helped to tackle the crisis, including neighbouring Tory MPs like Stephen Hammond in Wimbledon, and Dominic Raab in Esher and Walton."