Swimmers hit with second sewage warning in a week

Swimmers have been warned to avoid the water at Plymouth Hoe due to sewage discharge from a storm overflow just days after a previous incident was cleared.

The Environment Agency (EA) issued the advice for Plymouth Hoe West and Plymouth Hoe East on Friday after an "unpermitted discharge" due to operational issues at Plymouth Central Wastewater Treatment Works.

Bathing was also halted last week after a separate discharge of sewage. MP Luke Pollard said "the situation is quickly becoming a farce" and he was "disgusted" with South West Water.

The water company said it understood the concern such advice can cause and said it was working closely with the EA.

The agency said: "We know this will be frustrating for local people, who rightly expect bathing waters to be protected and South West Water to meet its legal obligations."

A spokesperson said the EA expects the water company "to be fully transparent about the action it is taking".

It said an investigation is ongoing and would include enforcement action "where necessary".

South West Water said it had been "undertaking maintenance to improve the reliability of monitoring equipment" and would continue to monitor water quality and review operational data.

"Protecting bathing water quality remains a priority, and we will continue to work closely with the Environment Agency as we assess the situation," it said.

In September, South West Water was fined almost £8m for a series of pollution-related offences over six years, including in Plymouth.

Pollard, who represents Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, said he has written to South West Water's CEO Keith Haslett "with a six-week ultimatum for investment in creaking infrastructure" at the plant in Cattedown.

He said he would be making further representations after the latest no-swim advice.

Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.