A PRIVATE prosecution against Southern Water has been pushed back by six months.
The prosecution, brought against the water company by not-for-profit organisation Fish Legal, was to be held at Southampton Magistrates Court between December 2-5.
However, both parties have agreed that the trial should be put back six months pending further efforts by Southern Water to resolve the issue.
A Fish Legal spokesperson said: “We are hopeful that this adjournment will enable us to secure a significant improvement to the situation on the Little Test at Nursling.”
Southern Water declined to comment.
As previously reported, Fish Legal is taking Southern Water to court over criminal charges relating to pollution entering the Test from one of the water company’s outfalls at the Nursling Industrial Estate.
Fish Legal, which is a team of lawyers who represent anglers in their fight against polluters and others who damage the water environment, was given the right to proceed with the private prosecution in September last year, with Southern Water pleading not guilty to four charges of repeat pollution of the River Test in February.
The Test is one of around 200 chalk streams in the world and is a site of Special Scientific Interest supporting Atlantic salmon, otters, water voles, brook lamprey, and bullhead.
The section between Romsey and the estuary, the focus of the criminal case, is currently classed as “unfavourable” due to polluting discharges.
Fish Legal has been supported in its efforts by Hampshire actor and Activist Anglers founder James Murray, who is best known for his roles in programmes such as The Crown and Masters of the Air.
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