OTLEY’S MP has met representatives from Ilkley Clean River Group to discuss the problem of sewage overflow and biodiversity monitoring in the River Wharfe.

There are currently 130 discharge days a year from sewage works in Ilkley that flow down river through Otley.

Alex Sobel, Shadow Minister for Natural Environment and Climate Change, said “We need sustainable drainage to ensure that we keep rainwater from reaching sewage works like the one in Burley, to stop the overflow and which would also have an effect on reducing flooding.”

“We also discussed the important issue of biodiversity and the need to stop human produced phosphate from entering the Wharfe.”

Excess phosphate in rivers leads to an imbalance in the eco-system, which in turn leads to habitat being destroyed.

Leeds North West MP Mr Sobel said:“We also need to increase blanket bog restoration, as degraded blanket bog releases vital carbon and also discolours our drinking water, which means the treatment of our drinking water increases as does the cost”

The release of carbon from degraded blanket bog, which is often caused by moorland burning, leads to erosion and the destruction of wildlife.

Mr Sobel added:“To preserve our Rivers and our Eco-system we need a range of agencies and interventions."