Landmark ruling in sewage battle

WE'VE heard plenty of promises from politicians about how they'll end the crisis of sewage being pumped into our lakes, rivers and seas. But could a 'landmark' legal case in the North of England be a turning point in the war on sewage?

- ROB PARSONS

Seven Supreme Court justices ruled last week that the Manchester Ship Canal Company, which owns the historic waterway of the same name, is able to sue United Utilities over alleged discharges of contaminated water into the canal.

The judgment overturns previous rulings from the High Court and Court of Appeal, where judges had said the canal company could not bring legal action for trespass or nuisance against the North West's main water company.

In their decision, supported by the other justices, Lords Reed and Hodge ruled that the Water Industry Act does not prevent the canal company from bringing the claims, even if there was no negligence or deliberate misconduct.