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Protecting the River Ems

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GK on site visit

Gillian is working with local councillors, Cllr. Mike Magill, and Cllr. Roy Briscoe, from WSCC and CDC respectively, as well as, the community to reduce the rate of water abstraction from the River Ems, that runs through her constituency.

There is a local community group FOTE, or Friends of the River Ems, which has been established to save the river. If you want to be a friend of the River Ems and its streams, please get involved by signing up as a supporter. Email greeningwestbourne@hotmail.co.uk. 

The Ems, one of only about 200 such chalk streams globally.  Currently, water is abstracted by Portsmouth Water from the underground sources of the Ems, this campaign is working to support the communities efforts to support wildlife, rare habitats and an important resource for local people by better understanding the impact of abstraction and bring forward changes to these rates to protect the river.

For more information on FOTE click here.

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Gillian on a farm in the South Downs

Supporting our rural and coastal communities

Gillian works to support rural communities and businesses. Gillian represents a large part of the South Downs National Park and coastline from Chichester Harbour AONB to the Pagham Nature reserve that includes the Port of Selsey.

News

Gillian Keegan reiterates calls for immediate action and a long term solution to save The River Ems

Thursday, 1 September, 2022

Chichester’s MP, Gillian Keegan has written a direct letter to Portsmouth Water’s CEO, Bob Taylor in which she calls on the water company to take “immediate action to reduce the impact of abstraction on the River Ems” and develop an interim and long term plan to “significantly reduce, and eventua

letter head

Gillian Keegan MP calls for an “immediate intervention” to save the River Ems

Wednesday, 24 August, 2022

Drought conditions combined with water abstraction have left the River Ems, which runs through the village of Westbourne, nearly dry.

Have your say on Portsmouth Water's 25-year Vision

Tuesday, 23 August, 2022

Portsmouth Water has set out a new vision outlining how, in the face of climate change, increasing hot, dry summers and a rapidly growing population, Portsmouth Water will provide an affordable, reliable and sustainable supply of high-quality water.

PWC response

Thursday, 23 June, 2022

Below is the response from Portsmouth Water to Gillian's enquiries on the June 21

Dear Gillian

Thank you for your e-mail.

Attached to this response is an e-mail we received directly from [removal of personal data] and the response I made to her yesterday.

River Ems visit

Gillian writes to CEO of PWC

Tuesday, 21 June, 2022

Gillian has written to Bob Taylor, CEO of Portsmouth Water regarding fresh concerns with river flows reported at extremely low levels.

Update on Havant Thicket Reservoir

Monday, 13 June, 2022

Gillian received the below update Portsmouth Water

We are writing to share an update about potential enhanced future uses of Havant Thicket Reservoir, known as the proposed Hampshire Water Transfer and Water Recycling Project.

Visit to Southbourne Surgery

Increasing availability of face-to-face appointments- Chichester Observer

Thursday, 13 January, 2022

Throughout the pandemic, our GPs have done a phenomenal job, continuing to provide healthcare within our communities, whilst also spearheading part of the local vaccination programme.

site visit

Gillian Keegan confirms positive action to protect the River Ems

Thursday, 13 January, 2022

Chichester’s MP, Gillian Keegan, confirms that plans are going ahead to protect the River Ems.

EA update on River Ems licence review for Portsmouth Water’s abstraction

Tuesday, 16 November, 2021

Following Gillian's enquiries to the Environment Agency regarding their review into Portsmouth Water’s abstraction licences - see the below response.

Havant Thicket Reservoir update

Friday, 15 October, 2021

Formal planning permission has now been granted for our Havant Thicket Reservoir scheme

Timeline for Havant Thicket Reservoir, leading up to its completion by 2029.

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Gillian Keegan Member of Parliament for Chichester

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