COUNCILLORS are calling for more action to be taken to ensure the borough’s waterways are maintained.

At a recent full council meeting held on December 15, members of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council said they want to see more being done by the Environment Agency to stop the waterways such as the River Loddon and the River Test become more polluted.

With the increased housing development and population growth in the area, councillors raised their concerns that it could put major pressure on sensitive parts of the environment.

The motion was put forward by Kingsclere ward councillor, Cllr Ken Rhatigan.

He said: “If this council is to pursue its lofty ambitions for new developments it must also shoulder the impact it will have on the environment.

“Our waterways are under threat from what is discharged into them both legally and illegally. The water that passes through us to our neighbours is our environmental foot print.”

He added: “We must shape our own future or those less concerned about our environment making these decisions will shape it for us.”

Fellow Conservative councillor, Cllr Paul Gaskell echoed what Cllr Rhatigan was proposing.

Cllr Gaskell said: “Our chalk streams appear to be unique to England.

"This means we should value this heritage like we do any other piece of our history, yet we don’t seem to.

"However, we don’t and they are abused and some have even dried up.

“We must work with natural England, the environment agency and the water authority to monitor river health. So let’s get on and do it.”

Cabinet member for planning and infrastructure at the borough council, Cllr Mark Ruffell said he recommends that the motion be put forward to the Environmental Protection Agency committee for the issue to be fully aired and get a better understanding of the issue.