CAMPAIGNERS behind a fight to get bathing water status for the River Wharfe in Ilkley have slammed a Government department for "standing in the way of local people".

In October last year the Ilkley Clean River Group submitted an application for bathing water status for the River Wharfe to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). However, the department has so far failed to carry out a public consultation.

A spokesperson for Ilkley Clean River Group said: "Defra states that they must prioritise Covid-19 response for Defra and stakeholders over consulting on this issue. However, there are currently seven open consultations on the Defra website, and so it is consulting at present on other issues and we have no indication from the stakeholders we are in contact with, that there is a problem in consulting on this issue.

"Given the unanimous support for the application, Defra's delays indicate a reluctance to support the first river in the UK to achieve bathing status."

The application for bathing status designation has the support of all stakeholders including Bradford Council, Ilkley Town Council, MP Robbie Moore and the citizens of Ilkley.

The application is being pursued to clean up the river. Raw sewage is discharged into the river every time it rains, which campaigners say is a public health hazard to people who come to the river to paddle, play and swim every summer.

If the application is successful the Environment Agency would develop a bathing water profile and put plans in place to monitor and protect the bathing water.

A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: "We have received a bathing water application from the Ilkley River Group, and after reviewing further evidence, we will proceed to a public consultation on the plans. We will schedule a date to hold a six-week national public consultation on the River Wharfe as soon as it is appropriate to do so."

The spokesperson added: "Defra will base its decision on evidence supplied, which must meet set criteria on the numbers of bathers using the site and what facilities are provided to support and promote bathing. Applicants must also undertake a local consultation.

"Ministers will make the final decision on designation. If an application is successful, the Environment Agency will develop a bathing water profile and put plans in place to monitor and protect the bathing water."

A Bradford Council spokesperson, said: “The River Wharfe is a great asset to our district and we are pleased to support the Ilkley Clean River Campaign Group.

“We’ve already written to the Secretary of State in support of their Designated Bathing Water Status application and see no reason why this consultation shouldn’t go ahead as soon as possible.

“Due to Covid-19 restrictions it might need to be run electronically with postal submissions allowing those without internet access to take part but the sooner it can take place the better.”

A spokesperson for Yorkshire Water said: “We are continuing to work closely with the Ilkley Clean Rivers Group and we support their application to achieve bathing water designation for the River Wharfe, which would make it the first inland river bathing water in the country. The Covid-19 situation has affected us all and it is understandable that the Government’s need to focus on the response has led to delays with the consultation on the bathing water application. We are ready to work with Government, the Ilkley Clean Rivers Group and others in the area to play our part once the situation allows to application process to progress.”

Dr Martin Christmas, of the Environment Agency, said: “We share the Ilkley Clean River Campaigns objective of improving water quality in the River Wharfe at Ilkley but, as a regulator, it is not our place to take a stance on the merits of any particular bathing water application.

“At the application stage for bathing water status our remit is limited to providing technical information to inform Defra’s determination of the application.

"The current delay to the start of the public consultation is understandable considering the significant impact Covid-19 is having on all aspects of government.

“In the event of a designation we would be required to develop a bathing water profile and put plans in place to monitor and protect the bathing water but in the meantime we continue to work with the Ilkley Clean River Campaign, Yorkshire Water and other partners to improve water quality in the River Wharfe.”

A spokesperson for Ilkley Clean River Group added: "Given the overwhelming support for designation from all the agencies, residents, businesses and elected representatives, Defra is standing in the way of local people."