UK rivers cannot be restored without reversing Industrial Revolution, says environment secretary

Achieving high ecological status for UK rivers would mean ripping up cities, says Coffey

File image: Only 14 per cent of rivers in England meet requirements for good ecological status (PA)

Rivers cannot be restored to their highest ecological status without reversing the Industrial Revolution, Environment Secretary Therese Coffey has said.

Speaking at the launch of the government’s Plan for Water, Ms Coffey said the River Don in Yorkshire will never be given a high status without dismantling half of Sheffield.

Only 14 per cent of rivers in England meet requirements for good ecological status with pollution being a “major impediment” to restoring all rivers to this level by 2027, the Environmental Audit Committee has said.