Sewage is dumped at protected sites

Call to clean up our beauty spots

- DAN VEVERS

SEWAGE is being regularly dumped on more than a dozen environmentally protected sites in Scotland, research shows.

SNP ministers face growing pressure to address the crisis after data revealed 7.6million cubic metres of sewage were released at beloved parks, beaches and waterways of special significance last year.

The grim total the equivalent of more than 3000 Olympic swimming pools of filth was uncovered by the Lib Dems via freedom of information.

They found sewage was dumped at environmentally important locations such as the Inner Clyde, Hamilton Lows Park, the Firth of Forth, the Upper Solway Flats and Marches, north Orkney and Shetland’s east mainland coast.

Between them are 11 Sites of Special Scientific interest SSSI), four Wetlands of International Importance and six Special Protection Areas SPA).