ILKLEY Clean River Group welcomed the Ofwat Chair Jonson Cox, and CEO David Black for a visit to Ilkley to secure the town's ambition to clean up the River Wharfe.

After a tour of the area, meeting residents to hear their concerns about persistent pollution incidents, they met with Ilkley Town Mayor Mark Stidworthy to understand the town's experience of trying to secure a better environment for local people and visitors.

"I would like to thank Ofwat for listening to Ilkley residents' views and giving them the respect they deserve," he said. "Their visit left no doubt as to the depth of knowledge and concern we have for our local environment, and how we wish to be involved in protecting and enhancing it for future generations."

The group was then joined by Robbie Moore MP, Oliver Stanton Environment Agency Regional Director, Liz Barber, CEO of Yorkshire Water and Lee Pitcher, Director of Partnerships at YW, to agree how to progress the clean up of the river.

Mr Moore said: “My thanks go out to the Ilkley Clean River Group for organising this meeting. Getting key stakeholders around the table and working collaboratively will be the key to cleaning up the River Wharfe. I hope that this model of collaboration is copied across the country as we strive to clean up more of our rivers. I look forward to a continued joined up approach with the Clean River Group, as well as the key stakeholders going forward.”

Action agreed includes: That the whole stretch of the river that the Ilkley Clean River Group successfully applied for as Designated Bathing Status would stand, triggering proper signage; Ilkley will buddy with a river and community that has less local expertise to support them in a parallel clean up; Ilkley will be the exemplar for any river seeking designation, contributing to a new national process for rivers that want to become designated bathing sites.

Finally, it was agreed the community of Ilkley will be involved in finding and agreeing the solutions to the pollution. This means local intelligence and expertise will be used to ensure the best solution for Ilkley.

A spokesperson for the Ilkley Clean River Group said: "We know that the longer term solution will mean improvements at the sewage treatment works; de-combining at least parts of the sewage system so that rainwater goes straight into the river, and only household waste goes to the sewage works; better sustainable urban drainage; and all of those living in Ilkley being careful about what we put down the loo. All of this will be more achievable with the support of the town."

An Ofwat spokesperson said: "Our Chair Jonson Cox and our Interim CEO David Black met with members of the Ilkley Clean River Group to discuss the condition of our rivers. Ofwat is committed to improving the natural environment so it is only right that we meet with local groups to understand what more can be done to protect our precious ecosystem."