THE leader of the Liberal Democrats paid a visit to the Yate area on Friday.

Sir Ed Davey donned a pair of wellies with Claire Young MP to test the water quality of the River Frome at Black Rocks in Frampton Cotterell.

The pair also visited Frome Valley Medical Centre in the village where they spoke to GPs.

They then went door knocking with party activists, to meet residents and talk about their issues.

Ms Young said: “It was great to welcome Ed to the constituency.

“The River Frome has been blighted by sewage dumping and that’s why we need more urgent action to make Wessex Water clean up their act.

“Ed and I enjoyed chatting with local people on the doorstep, as well as making time to thank supporters who worked so hard during the election.”

 

Following his visit, Sir Ed said: "It was great to get out on the doors in Thornbury and Yate with Claire Young and hear first hand what matters most to families in the area. 

“People are understandably worried about a lack of access to healthcare, including getting GP and dentist appointments, high volumes of sewage pumped into local rivers and the rising cost of living. 

(Image: Liberal Democrats) (Image: Liberal Democrats) (Image: Liberal Democrats) (Image: Ben Birchall / PA)

“These are all issues that I know Claire is passionately championing in Parliament along with the rest of our Liberal Democrat MPs. 

“On our visit to the River Frome, Claire and I tested the water quality and found five times the recommended amount of phosphate along the Frome Valley Walkway.

"It’s outrageous that water companies like Wessex Water have been allowed to get away with this for so long.”

A Wessex Water spokesperson said: “We're aware that our licensed storm overflows in Frampton Cotterell operated frequently in 2023.

"While it protected local properties from flooding in what was the fourth wettest year since records began, we agree that overflows are outdated so we are investing £3 million a month to improve them.

“This includes a £5 million project currently underway in Frampton Cotterell to build three large storm water storage tanks, which will increase capacity and reduce how often the nearby overflows will operate.

"MP Claire Young was briefed about this work earlier this year and it is on track to be completed in January 2025."