Sewage treatment 'must not go on hold'

SURFERS AGAINST SEWAGE is again urging the States to agree to full treatment of effluent.

The campaign group is concerned that if the States, which is meeting this week, does not agree on plans in the coming months, the issue could remain undecided for years.

This summer saw beaches on the east and west coasts closed because of sewage and SAS has released aerial images showing the extent of that pollution. The group also pointed out that such a sight would have left a lasting impression on tourists.

'It's vital that discussions this week and for the remainder of the year help set in motion a full sewage treatment policy,' said group campaign manager Andy Cummins. 'We believe the introduction of a waste-water charge would allow sewage treatment to be fast-tracked and not consigned to the holding bay that is the "Guernsey Tomorrow" project. Sewage treatment is one of those decisions that can't be put off for tomorrow.'

Guernsey Tomorrow was launched by the Policy Council's Strategic Land Planning Group to prioritise how islanders inhabit and use the island's space, setting the direction for the Environment Department's urban and rural area plans.