Anglian Water to be prosecuted over alleged pollution of King's Dyke near Whittlesey
Anglian Water is to be prosecuted after up to 1,000 fish died in an alleged pollution incident near Whittlesey.
The court action is being taken by the Environment Agency following the incident that took place at King’s Dyke, Stanground, two years ago.
It follows a lengthy investigation by agency officials into the incident, which occurred in September 2024.
An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “Following a detailed investigation, we have taken the decision to prosecute Anglian Water in relation to alleged pollution of the King’s Dyke in Stanground, in Peterborough, in September 2024.”
The agency, which last year required water companies to make 3,000 improvements, such as repairing sewage works and upgrading infrastructure, said that dates for court hearings and charges had still to be confirmed.
A spokesperson for Anglian Water said: “We are unable to comment as it’s an ongoing legal investigation.”
North East Cambridgeshire MP Steve Barclay, who has campaigned for a prosecution to be brought for two years, said: “It is welcome news for residents in Whittlesey and the surrounding area that the Environment Agency has issued an enforcement decision.
"This confirms that they will be prosecuting Anglian Water for this major pollution incident.
He added: “I have repeatedly questioned the Environment Agency about the lack of any prosecution of those responsible, including by raising the case in Parliament on multiple occasions and meeting with the Minister for Water, most recently just last month.