Campaigners ask why five bathing area applications rejected for English rivers

Exclusive: Defra's commitment to cleaning up Wharfe, Tyne and Kent questioned by conservation groupsCampaigners are calling for more transparency from government after five applications to turn sections of English rivers into bathing areas were rejected, despite promises from ministers that cleaning up rivers was a priority.Officials have rejected the application for three areas of the River Wharfe in Yorkshire to be given the status, which requires more rigorous testing for bacteria from discharged sewage and is an attempt to force a river clean up. Continue reading...