Southend seafront free 'poo-themed' ice cream van spotted

With the election two weeks away, the not-for-profit political-activism organisation 38 Degrees visited Southend with a message for candidates from all parties standing in the General Election; to take action over sewage spills off beaches across the UK.

The "sewage sundaes" made a real buzz, the group said, with people "queuing" for a free scoop and a chance to share their anger over the spills.

Stephen Cummins, Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Southend West and Leigh, spotted the van and stopped by in a show of support for the campaign.

A pooch enjoying the 'sewage sundae' (Image: Matt Bristow)

It comes after controversy surrounding water quality with campaign group Southend Against Sewage marching down Southend High Street last month over “disgusting sewage spills” in the borough's bathing water.

A 38 Degrees spokesman shared: "Behind this silly stunt is a serious point. The Great British seaside is famous for a reason, and there should be nothing better than a day out on the beach. But thanks to failures of regulation and water companies being let off scot-free, our beautiful beaches are being splattered with sewage day after day. 

"That’s why our community is fighting tooth and nail to make stopping sewage a top priority this election – and we’ll be ready to push whoever forms the next government to clean up our seas for good.

"And taking this ice cream van on tour, I felt first hand just how many people feel just as passionate and determined as you and me to end this catastrophe."

Support - Stephen Cummins with the 38Degrees van (Image: Jane Cummins)

Mr Cummins said: “It is a scandal that the Conservative party has allowed water firms to mark their own homework and waterways across Southend including our beloved estuary beaches have suffered as a result.

“A new wave of sewage busters will ensure no water company gets away with polluting our treasured rivers, lakes and coastlines.

“Liberal Democrats will hire new sewage-busting inspectors to clamp down on sewage dumping and put a stop to this dreadful scandal.”

Recent data from the Environment Agency revealed 400 sewage spills were reported in Southend in 2023, an increase from 120 spills in 2022.

In response to the stunt, Anna Firth, Tory candidate for the area, commented: "Any and all sewage discharges into our waters are unacceptable, that is exactly why over the last two years I have been working closely with local residents and key stakeholders to keep Anglian Water’s feet to the fire and tackle this scourge.

"My work has delivered real action, with Anglian Water committing to go further and faster than the Government targets on storm overflow use in Southend, £104 million in capital investment secured for our city and year round testing of our waters rather than just in the bathing season.

"There is more work to be done, but community engagement is working and I am determined to continue with this work and end sewage discharges in Southend for good."

Anglian Water previously told the Echo the water firm had made "good progress" on spill numbers and a proposed business plan from 2025 includes £1 billion worth of investment targeted at reducing storm overflows.

Labour was also approached for comment.

• The parliamentary candidates standing in Southend West and Leigh are Anna Firth (Con), David Burton-Sampson (Lab), Stephen Cummins (Lib Dem), Tom Darwood (Ind), Robert Francis (Ind), Tilly Hogrebe (Green) Lara Hurley, (Heritage Party), Peter Little (Reform UK), James Miller (Confelicity) and Jason Pilley (Psychedelic Movement).