“We are really lucky. We’ve seen some investment from South West Water very recently, so they’ve reduced the number of sewage spills, or they will when they finish the work down in the Ham.

“We do have to recognise that, but we are standing in solidarity with those people less fortunate than ourselves, like our friends in the Otter Valley where they’re really struggling with pollution in the River Otter.” [Budleigh lost its Blue Flag Beach status in 2025.]

Liberal Democrat MP for Honiton and Sidmouth Richard Foord attended the protest and described the turnout as “fantastic”.

Budleigh residents might ask: where is “on the same page” David Reed?- Owl

Lewis Clarke www.sidmouthherald.co.uk

Dozens of protesters took to the sea in a mass “paddle out” demonstration as campaigners demanded an end to sewage pollution along the UK coastline.

Surfers, swimmers, paddleboarders and youth groups gathered off the coast at Sidmouth on Saturday, May 16 as part of a nationwide protest organised by Surfers Against Sewage.

The event was one of almost 60 demonstrations held across the country calling for action over sewage discharges and water industry reform.

Organiser Robin Goodman said the protest aimed to send a clear message to water companies and the Government.

Robin said: “We need to see the end to, as you’ve seen in the banner, people before payouts. That is the message today.”

He said the Sidmouth event marked the first large-scale “paddle out” protest held in the town in recent years.

Robin added that Sidmouth had seen improvements following investment by South West Water, but said campaigners wanted to stand alongside communities still dealing with pollution problems.

He said: “We are really fortunate and I’ve made a point of saying that to anybody.

“We are really lucky. We’ve seen some investment from South West Water very recently, so they’ve reduced the number of sewage spills, or they will when they finish the work down in the Ham.

“We do have to recognise that, but we are standing in solidarity with those people less fortunate than ourselves, like our friends in the Otter Valley where they’re really struggling with pollution in the River Otter.”

Liberal Democrat MP for Honiton and Sidmouth Richard Foord attended the protest and described the turnout as “fantastic”.

Sidmouth, Surfers Against Sewage, Paddle Out 2026 – Richard Foord with Robin Goodman (Image: Lewis Clarke)

Before heading into the water he said: “You can see the Surf Life Saving Club out in the water. You can see loads of youth groups and young people joining, young and old, to really show the passion that people feel on this subject.

“It is so much bigger than just one seaside town.

“This is something that people across the country feel strongly about, particularly across the south west of England where, because we have such a large coastline and we have South West Water, people feel particularly strongly about this.”

Mr Foord said rising water bills and concerns over infrastructure investment had fuelled public frustration.

He added: “What people have seen is that their bills are shooting up and they understand that the infrastructure is not being invested in at the rate that it ought to be.”

The MP said he welcomed proposed Government reforms to the water industry but urged ministers to move faster.

He said: “We want to see these water companies, when they fail, put into mutual ownership so that they become public benefit companies.

“We want to see people with ecological understanding, environmentalists, on the board of these companies so that they’re not run solely for profit in the way that they have in recent years.”

Speaking about South West Water’s new chief executive Keith Haslett , Mr Foord said he planned to meet him within the next fortnight.

He said: “My message to him is South West Water really needs to invest in the infrastructure so that we do not see this company run in a way that it’s all about extraction of profit.

“This company needs to be run in support of people’s health and wellbeing and not for profit.”

Robin said he believed campaigners would return for another paddle out event next year.