Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many enforcement actions to require riparian landowners to discharge their watercourse maintenance obligations were taken by the Environment Agency in each constituency in 2023.

In 2023 the Environment Agency (EA) recorded 404 incidents nationally where riparian ownership was referenced.

Where offences were identified the EA took action in line with their enforcement and sanctions policy to protect the environment.

One warning letter, one advice and guidance letter and one site warning were issued during 2023. There were no prosecutions.