We are very fortunate to have such beautiful green spaces in Surrey Heath, and I am passionate about protecting and enhancing our environment for future generations. I have campaigned on green issues for two decades, and have delivered the Government’s 25-Year Environment Plan, which will ensure: cleaner air; more recycling; and an end to single-use plastics. There is still more to do, particularly as the pandemic has highlighted the importance of clean green spaces for both our physical and mental wellbeing.
Planting more trees: Trees play a vital role in our environment, helping to clean our air, moderate temperatures and cut the risk of floods, and that is why I’m championing the Government’s drive to plant more trees across the country. I’m also supporting our Borough Council’s and County Council’s tree planting strategies to increase the number of trees in Surrey Heath.
Reducing noise and air pollution: I helped to secure the resurfacing of all eight lanes of the M3 with quiet surface treatment during the Smart Motorway works to reduce noise for residents living nearby. I’ve also pushed for better planting to replace the trees that were lost, and I’m continuing to press for further measures to mitigate the noise and air pollution impacting Windlesham.
Protecting the environment: Esso is replacing 90km of its 105km underground aviation fuel pipeline that runs from Southampton to London, which will keep around 100 road tankers off the road every day. A large portion of the existing pipeline, and the new route for the replacement pipeline, passes through Surrey Heath, and I am holding Esso to account in order to minimise the impact on the local environment, particularly at important green spaces, such as Turf Hill.
Reducing discharges into rivers: The amount of sewage discharged into our rivers by water companies is completely unacceptable, and I have voted for legislation that will deliver a package of measures to reduce harms from storm overflows. The Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan requires water companies to deliver their largest ever environmental infrastructure investment - £56 billion over 25 years. Locally, I’m speaking to Thames Water to reduce discharges, and upgrades are being made to Chobham Sewage Treatment Works.
