From Keighley News, March 18th 2024
Written by Alistair Shand
ENVIRONMENTAL campaigner and former singer Feargal Sharkey was in Keighley yesterday.
The one-time lead vocalist of The Undertones was shown pollution hotspots on the River Worth.
During the visit – organised by Keighley Labour parliamentary candidate, John Grogan – Mr Sharkey met with representatives of the River Worth Friends and Aire Rivers Trust, and councillors.
Mr Grogan says: "Ilkley rightly gets a lot of attention about sewage pollution in the Wharfe, and Yorkshire Water has been pressured into announcing new investment to deal with the problem. But in fact in Keighley, there is far more sewage pumped into the river on a regular basis
"On average there are nearly two sewage spills a day in Keighley, some lasting for many hours. The worst sites on the River Worth are at South Street, Ingrow Lane and Mytholmes Lane.
"By law, Yorkshire Water is only supposed to allow sewage to be discharged into our rivers after heavy rain, not on a regular basis. We need a national plan to cut sewage spills by at least 90 per cent on all rivers."
Derry-born Mr Sharkey also called at The Boltmakers Arms and raised a glass to St Patrick's Day.