Call for action after the Broads are named as having the dirtest waterways | ITV News Anglia (East)

The latest news, sport and weather from ITV News Anglia on Thursday 18 September. On today’s programme:

-Businesses and visitors demand action after a shocking report reveals the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads have the dirtiest rivers in any of Britain’s national parks.

-Parents react to a new report calling to make mainstream schools more inclusive for SEND children

-Amber may never walk but she’s still scaling great heights. We meet our final Pride of Britain fundraiser finalist

-And he’s built his own bike – now deaf and blind cycling fan Graham is looking for a co-pilot to help him enjoy it.

For more of the biggest news stories in the UK and around the world, visit the ITV News YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ITVNews

• Subscribe to ITV News In Full on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ITVNewsInFull?sub_confirmation=1
• Get breaking news and more stories at http://www.itv.com/news

Follow ITV News on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@itvnews?lang=en
Follow ITV News on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itvnews/
Follow ITV News on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itvnews/
Follow ITV News on X: https://twitter.com/itvnews

These programmes may be edited to comply with copyright agreements.

[Music] Now, the latest ITV news in the Anglia region. [Music] Good evening. Welcome to ITV News Anglia. Here’s a look at tonight’s main stories. Troubled waters, businesses, and visitors demand action after a shocking report reveals the Norfolk and Suffuk Broads have the dirtiest waterways in any of Britain’s national parks. I’m totally disappointed because this is the most beautiful part of the the world as far as we’re concerned. And now suddenly we’re finding this out and then our water isn’t good. That’s not good. Also this evening, parents react to a new report calling to make mainstream schools more inclusive for send children. It’s ridiculous. You can’t stick a bunch of send children in mainstream school and going good luck. It isn’t going to work. I’ll be meeting the families turning their town gold in memory of their children. And Amber may never walk, but she’s still scaling great heights, quite literally. We meet our last Pride of Britain fundraiser finalist. Hello from Becky and me. Welcome to the program. First tonight, boat users and riverside business owners have been reacting with horror following a report that the Norfolk and Suffuk Broads has the dirtiest water of any national park in Britain. Well, sewage spills, agricultural pollution, and toxic chemicals are risking one of the UK’s most treasured landscapes. That’s according to the report authors, the campaign for national parks and the Rivers Trust. Well, in 2024, nearly 7,000 hours of sewage were discharged from sewage overflows into rivers and the broads. Although agriculture is the biggest polluter, Natalie Gray reports. Even on the wetest of days, the Broads is a beautiful place to be. But looks can be deceiving. A damning report says England’s most important wetland is dirtier than waterways in any other national park. Dr. Michael Collins helped with this study. To be honest, I was shocked and very very shocked and surprised. I mean, it’s really rather disgraceful. This is this is a protected landscape. Everything in the broads depends on water. Lakes, rivers, and all the wildlife depend on water. If it’s not as clean as we thought it was or that we think it should be, that is a big problem and it needs to be dealt with. The report authors say 94% of rivers in the broads fail to meet good ecological status. Sewage spills, agricultural pollution, toxic chemicals, and climate change to blame. People on holiday say it’s disappointing. We have noticed that the probably the quality of the water seems to have gone down a little bit over the years. We’ve been coming for quite a few years now. Uh it’s still obviously a very enjoyable holiday and a lovely place to come. But yeah, I think that um they could probably do a little bit more to keep the uh the water quality better. Vanessa Hannon is landady of the Aelbridge in a popular stop off for holiday makers and day trippers. I have to say it’s a bit of a shock. I’m totally disappointed because this is the most beautiful part of the the world as far as we’re concerned. And now suddenly we’re finding this out and then our water isn’t good. That’s not good. We’re disappointed to hear this news. We want to know what might be happening very soon and what they’re going to do to correct it. With the biggest shakeup of water regulation in decades underway in England and Wales, campaigners are calling for bold action from ministers. The national parks are some of the most important iconic, you know, gold standard places in the country. They’ve got to put in place reforms that include major reforms for the country’s national parks and protected landscapes. Otherwise, they say people will stop coming to this special part of the world because it will no longer be special. Natalie Gray, ITV News, Norfolk. Well, Natalie is here in the studio with us this evening. That I suppose the big question is why is the water quality worse here than other national parks? Well, it’s all to do with their geography. The broads are very lowlying, which means they’re at ground or sea level. uh and that means that pollutants from the farmland surrounding them and the towns and village amongst them gets into the water really easily. Now other national parks are in high ground and often nearer the source of rivers which is obviously much much cleaner. Now, record-breaking rainfall in recent winters here means the ancient sewer network is often overwhelmed, leading to spills. And of course, we have hordes of people visiting them. So many boats in the summer that some people liken rivers to the M25. My goodness. And when hearing that, some of it can’t be changed. So, what can actually be done? Well, a spokesman for the National Farmers Union told us much progress has already been made through regulation and voluntary measures such as carefully managing how much manure and fertilizer is applied to fields. Anglian Water says we’re investing more than ever to reduce storm overflow spills and restore river health. And the government says they’re rebuilding sewage pipes to cut pollution in half. Everyone is waiting to see what regulations the government comes up with, but it is a complex issue and won’t be solved overnight. Thank you very much, Natalie. Some more of your day’s news now and two just stop oil activists who aimed to spray paint on Taylor Swift’s private jet have been found guilty of the criminal damage of two planes at Stanstead airport. 29-year-old Jennifer Kavalsski from Dumbartan in Scotland and 23-year-old Cole McDonald from Brighton cut through the perimeter fence, then sprayed two planes with orange paint in June last year. The jets did not belong to the pop star, but an insurance firm and an investment group. They will be sentenced next month. Norfolk police believe a woman who was found dead by a busy road was the victim of a hit and run. A member of the public saw the woman’s body by the A47 at Darham early yesterday morning. Detectives have confirmed they believe the woman in her 50s had been hit by a vehicle on the eastbound carriageway. They’re appealing for witnesses. A man who killed his date in a speedboat crash has been sent back to prison a year after he was released from jail for breaching his license conditions. Charlotte Brown, who was 25 and from Clactton in Essex, died in 2015 when Jack Shepard’s boat capsized on the river temps after hitting a submerged tree trunk. Shepard then went on the run before being caught and convicted of manslaughter by gross negligence in a trial he refused to attend in 2018. He was released in January last year, but is now back behind bars. A driver who was using his phone when he crashed and killed a grandmother from Essex has been jailed for 11 years. Jennifer Tilllet was a passenger in a car returning from her 83rd birthday party in January 2023 when Steve Crow’s van crashed into queuing traffic on the A12 near Chelmsford. The car with Mrs. Tillitin flipped and she later died in hospital. Crow admitted causing her death and seriously injuring others. Next tonight, a report by a committee of MPs has called on the government to deliver a more inclusive mainstream education for children with special educational needs. The committee took evidence from Norfolk and Canada on how that could be done, but some parents say it just won’t work. It comes as the government prepares to set out its plans to reform the send system. Our political correspondent Emma Hutchinson reports. Theo and Junior have been friends since they started infants in Ipsswitch, but school has been an uphill struggle. Both have special educational needs, and it’s a fight for the right provision. Both are now without a school place. There’s just no words because you’re trying your best. You know, you’re doing everything that you’re supposed to do. You’re you’re fighting. Not that we should have to fight, but we fight because it’s our children. And you know, you just I I think I’ve cried everywhere. Serena has had to give up her job to homeschool junior. He just doesn’t understand and he can’t. So, I don’t say a lot to him. I don’t tell him, “You haven’t got school anymore. I just delay the fact that he’s not at school yet.” I go, “Oh, not yet. We’re not going back yet.” So, yeah, it’s actually really heartbreaking seeing him being left out. It’s a fight many parents across our region face. this week gathering at Westminster to voice their concerns. The government say they inherited a send system in crisis and will set out their plans for reform later this year. But today, a report by the education committee of MPs called for that reform to mean more inclusion in mainstream schools after taking evidence in Norfolk and Canada. And we went to Ontario and Canada as part of our finding tour for this inquiry. Um and they have a system where children uh are supported within mainstream settings even with quite complex needs because they have all the support in place before often they even start school. Um and it’s just expected that that’s what schools will provide. Oh, it’s stuck. Guy and Serena fear that wouldn’t work for children like Junior and Theo. That is just not possible. They cannot go to a mainstream setting. The bullying is my main concern. Um I just think he does stand out from the rest and it’s going to get no noticed and children can be mean. It’s ridiculous. You can’t stick a bunch of SE children. They’ve been trying that for years. Sticking a bunch of SE children in mainstream school and going good luck. It isn’t going to work. Many are crying out for a system that does work for their children. the hope that the government are hearing their concerns. Emma Hutchinson, ITV News, Westminster. [Music] Well, staying with politics and a Suffukk MP says energy schemes need to be monitored more closely in order to protect the environment. SuffK Coastal MP Jenny Riddle Carpenter said residents in her constituency were being let down by energy firms carrying out schemes like Seiswell Sea. She wants to make it a legal requirement for developers to coordinate their work. And talking of the environment, 24 new electric double-decker buses costing nearly 14 million pounds are to be rolled out across Norfolk. The county council has joined forces with First Bus in what’s being hailed as a major step towards providing greener public transport. The new buses will be operating in Great Yamouth and in Norwich. Well, thanks for joining us this evening. Still to come on the program, we will meet our last Pride of Britain finalist. Plus, he’s built his own bike. Now, deaf and blind cycling fan Graham is looking for a companion to help him get out and about. And after a brief burst of summer warmth tomorrow, by Sunday, we are in the blue. I’ve got news of a big temperature turnaround on the way. That is going to feel chilly, isn’t it? Next tonight, every day, five families in Britain will hear the devastating news that their child has cancer. And sadly, one of those families will not see their child cured. Well, two families from Cambridge who’ve both endured that unimaginable heartbreak, have come together to try and raise awareness and help more children and teenagers get diagnosed as early as possible. Clema Glasson has been chatting to them. A little added luster in the town of Surum in Cambridge here. The windows of the high street shops uh filled with gold and that’s to raise awareness of childhood cancer and it’s all been made possible by two families from the town and Lisa, you’re the mom of one of those families. Tell us why gold. So gold is the international ribbon of childhood cancer awareness uh representing a very precious metal of course our very precious children. And so this campaign is all about raising awareness. We want people to know that childhood cancer is biologically different to adult cancers and needs its own specific research. George, our little boy, loved asking questions. He was so curious and he wanted to know why his good cells turned into naughty cells. So we work hard in George’s memory as well to um yeah, encourage for improved research. Thank you. We’re going to go and have a chat with your friend Sarah now who’s who’s from the other family. Um remembering Liam, your son. Yes. There’s another focus of this campaign as well, isn’t there? Yes. It’s about early diagnosis. It’s empowering parents or guardians of children that if their child takes unwell and over a twoe period this that they continue to be unwell, it persists or that their illness progresses or they get a cluster of other things that they’re not happy about that they feel empowered to be able to go to the doctor and say, “Look, you know, we’re not happy.” Explain what’s happening. and that the doctors would automatically or at least think think of referring a child in that situation because the earlier cancer is detected the better the outcomes are for a child. Thank you. It’s on it’s all about getting people talking really um about something that we don’t want to think or talk about. Magda is the uh business owner here. Magda you were the first to sign up. Why did you want to take part? uh because I think it’s very important the this pass this information to everyone all family because early diagnosis for the shieldless cancer is really important for community for children and for family we need support these people they need support everyone for to be aware what’s going on perfect thank you well it’s got people talking here in this cafe and in the shops all along the high street if you want any more information childhood cancer awareness month has the details of some of those signs to look out Claire Mlassen there really important initiative. Now this week we’ve been shining a spotlight on our local heroes who’ve been shortlisted to represent Anglia at this year’s Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards. Today we’ll hear from our final nominee, Amber Donovan from Suffukk. 21-year-old Amber was born with cible palsy, but her condition has not stopped her taking on huge feats. Earlier this year, she climbed the O2 in London using a specialist wheelchair and a pulley to reach the top. The money raised going to an art program for people with learning disabilities. Andy Ward has this. This is when 21-year-old Amber Donovan is at her happiest. Painting is her passion, but life so far has been anything but picture perfect. Amber was born with cereble pulsey. Doctors at one stage giving her just 24 hours to live. I do remember my mom saying to me when I was younger, what would happen if you had a baby that had a disability? And I did actually say that I probably wouldn’t go through with it. And this does kind of it hurts me to say that. Um but AM’s amazing. I wouldn’t change her. I would not change her at all. She’s just incredible. and she’s made me a better person, too. She’s my one and only, and I would fight for her till the death. Amber’s condition means she’ll never walk, but that hasn’t stopped her scaling great heights, quite literally. In June this year, she and her support team climbed the O2 in London. Amber using a specialist wheelchair and a pulley to reach the top. An incredible achievement that raised more than 1,500 pounds for Suffukk Art Link, a charity that runs creative classes for vulnerable people. The money helping to fund the type of courses that Amber herself enjoys every week. I like God the best day of the go. You like going there. It’s the best day of the week and you love it. I can see it says Amber’s O2 climb crew. How was that experience climbing the O2? I was [Music] but when I [Music] you were nervous but when you’d done it you felt amazing. And Amber loved it so much she’s hoping to do it all again in the future. Her determination helping to ensure that other people with disabilities can benefit from the same opportunities that she has. Amber specifically wants that money to go into our program for learning disabled and neurode divergent artists. So that that money will pay for professional artists uh to facilitate sessions. I think it’s so wonderful for us to see how people flourish, how people gain that confidence that they can just do anything that there is no there is no O2 too high for people to climb. What would it mean to you to win the Pride of Britain award for the Anglia region? Go and I will go lot more holiday. So happy. And you go on lots more holidays. Yeah. To celebrate. And with art having brought so much color to her life, Amber is now hoping to give others the chance to fall in love with it too. Andy Wards, ITV News, Great Barton near Beret Edmunds. Oh, haven’t we met some incredible people this week? And on tomorrow’s program, we will be surprising our winning fundraiser of the year with the news that they are off to the Pride of Britain Awards in October. Wouldn’t want to be the judge having to pick between all those, would you? Right. The ITV Evening News follows us. Here’s Charlene. Coming up on the ITV Evening News, Donald Trump and Sakir Star Mahail a new era for the special relationship as the president’s historic second state visit draws to a close. The Home Office confirms the first person has been sent to France under the one-in one deal. We’ll see if it’s enough to deter small boat crossings. And meet the rare Bonobo baby born in the UK. the closest living relative to humans. Join us for those stories and more from 6:30. Oh, gorgeous. Well, now to a man from Cambridge here who’s built himself a bicycle made for two, but is appealing for volunteers to help him enjoy excursions on it. Yep. Graeme Hicks is deaf and blind, but he runs a cycle repair workshop. So, he bought a kit to construct a four-w wheeled bike which can carry two people. And now he needs to find a co-pilot who can do the steering so he can safely head out on leisurely rides. As Stuart Le explains, [Music] to be accurate, this is a quadricycle made for two built by Graeme Hicks. And it was his friend Andrew doing the steering. Graeme is deaf and blind, so he decided a four-w wheeled bike would be the safest way to enjoy cycling around Peterbr. For the interview, Graeme was assisted by his support worker, Linda Hind, using a system called Deaf Blind Manual. After I had two popular plants, my balance repeat it became unsafe to turn them. So I decided to look into Graeme runs his own cycle repair workshop. So when it arrived in a crate from China in about a thousand parts, he had no trouble putting the bike together, but he can’t steer it. So he’s appealing for volunteers to join him on rides around the city. It would be great fun and I enjoy meeting new people and making new friends. where my teeth and get fitter and slimmer. Let me list a few of the features for the prospective co-pilot. It’s got these really comfy seats, a canopy which offers some protection from the elements. These speedos so you can tell how fast you’re going. And more important perhaps than anything else, it’s got battery powered assistance for the pedals. Linda has known Graeme for 15 years and hopes he will be able to find a fellow enthusiast for regular trips out on the bike. He’s very or can be very isolated being both deaf and blind. Obviously, he can’t leave his home on his own because he can’t see where he’s going. He can’t hear what’s going on. Um and so it gave him a sense of freedom just like you and I take for granted. Andrew is also the chief executive of Cambridge Deaf Association and says any volunteers would need to learn deafb blind manual signing so they could communicate during the ride. That’s the the technique of spelling the alphabet on the palm of someone’s hand. And it’s not incredibly difficult and you you’ll be able to learn it in a day and then get quicker and quicker. Um, and then to be available up and ready to jump on a bike and go for a few bike rides. And then in return, what you’ll get is a relationship with someone who’s uh quite unique uh and inspirational. You’ll probably burn a few calories along the way and have a lot of fun. So, if you fancy exploring Peterbr on a nicely cushioned seat with the stability of four wheels, Graeme needs a trusty second in command to steer a steady course on his quadricycle. [Music] Stuart Leaths, ITV News, Peterbrrook, form an orderly queue. That’s I can see you doing that. He’d have to hold on very tight, though. It would be a privilege. I mean, anyone that can build an a,000piece flat pack, that is beyond my capability. So, what a chap Graeme is. Right now, just before we get the forecast, we know from all the treasures lurking in our weather inbox just how many talented photographers we have in the region. There really are. So, it’s only right that in the Royal Meteorological Society’s weather photographer of the year competition, we have not one but two finalists from the east. Well, the worldwide contest features everything from breathtaking views across Antarctica to double rainbows over Slovenia’s Lake Bled. But also shortlisted is this cracker from Overstrand on the Norolk coast. Bit choppy out that day by the looks of things. Was Sha Mills from Murzy Island capturing the sea spray, believe it or not. Looks like a blizzard, doesn’t it? And this Chris Slurvac from Bedding near Bangi also makes the final 25 images with this one taken on a frosty December morning in his garden. It was minus 5. Do you know if Chris or Ash were here they would tell us those ideal conditions for whrost? By the way, you can vote for your favorite online. Hopefully a bit longer before we get any frost. But let’s get the forecast is Nick. [Music] Greater Anglia sponsors ITV Anglia weather. [Music] Hello. Felt a touch warmer today. Sign of things to come very briefly tomorrow as we lurch back to summer. The warmth helped by a few hints of brightness today. This was Suffukk this morning. More in the way of sunny spells out there to end the day. And this is what we’re expecting over the next few days. Look at the jump in temperature tomorrow with more sunshine. But then look at the drop by Sunday below average for the time of year. These are the headline numbers, the story behind that. The air mass chart tomorrow showing the warmth coming up from the south. But then by Sunday, we are in the blue. This is arctic air coming our way. Hence the temperature drop. And with all of that, an area of low pressure moving across the UK this weekend. On Saturday, a few showers and thunderstorms as it starts to move in. And then by Sunday as it pulls away, an area of cloud and patchy rain working across us and the arrival of that much cooler air. So a taste of summer again tomorrow. Very brief showers on Saturday and then very much back into autumn by Sunday. For now though, the warm and muggy out there air out there will stay with us through the night. The temperatures are not going to fall too far. Even though we have some clear skies around, more cloud building from the south later in the night, temperatures closer to where we’d expect them to be by day at this time of year. And then early cloud tomorrow isn’t going to last too long. We need that sunshine to build those temperatures and widespread blue sky into the afternoon and some spots reaching 25 maybe 26° C. Your times of high water tomorrow. So there’s a morning high tide for most of us and then another one in the evening. And the outlook, we know it’s turning colder. That chillier air stays with us into next week. The colder nights as well, but actually apart from a few showers, a lot of dry weather next week. Greater Anglia sponsors ITV Anglia weather. One last blast of summer. There you go. That’s it from all of us here. Thanks for watching. See you tomorrow. [Music]