Campaigners who gathered outside of a Suffolk MP's surgery to protest against "worsening" river pollution have said they are "not going away".

Kirsty Logan, from Easton, organised the demonstration outside of Thérèse Coffey's surgery in Woodbridge on Friday as the row over the dumping of sewage in waterways across the country continues.

"Lots of us take readings from our rivers and the pollution is just getting worse and worse," said Kirsty.

East Anglian Daily Times: The protest came as the row over the dumping of sewage in waterways continues. Credit: Ruth LeachThe protest came as the row over the dumping of sewage in waterways continues. Credit: Ruth Leach (Image: Ruth Leach)

"It's very serious.

"MPs seem to have a set of answers that they give people but they don't appear to be doing anything about it. 

"People need to hold MPs who voted for this to account.

"They voted for it and now they need to sort it out.

"It can't go on."

An amendment to the Environment Act 2021 that would have placed a legal obligation on water companies not to pump waste into rivers was rejected by MPs in a House of Commons vote last year. 

East Anglian Daily Times: Dr Coffey, who is also the environmental secretary, was one of 265 MPs who voted in favour of passing the bill without the amendment. Credit: PADr Coffey, who is also the environmental secretary, was one of 265 MPs who voted in favour of passing the bill without the amendment. Credit: PA (Image: PA)

Dr Coffey, who is also the environmental secretary, was one of 265 MPs who voted in favour of passing the bill without the amendment.

"We want more from MPs," Kirsty added.

"And we want more from water companies. 

"We're not going away.

"The government keeps talking about 2050 as a target but everything will be dead by then.

"We are killing our ecosystem and this has a massive impact on both nature and us."

East Anglian Daily Times: Protesters said they are not going away. Credit: Ruth LeachProtesters said they are not going away. Credit: Ruth Leach (Image: Ruth Leach)

In March, a sign with an expletive appeared near Martlesham Creek following a failed bid for bathing water status and allegations of high levels of E. coli being found in five places. 

The sign added, in a tongue-in-cheek manner, that it is sponsored by Dr Coffey.

A plaque also appeared on the toilets in the Whisstocks area of Woodbridge that read: "Servicing the water industry. Thérèse Coffey. Sort of a Dr, but not really. Emptying your toilet into our rivers, creeks and Suffolk coastline. Praise Be."