Romsey and Southampton North MP, Caroline Nokes hosted a round-table discussion for the lead organisations tackling the recent diesel spill in the River Test.

She also hopes those responsible for the pollution, will be actioned and fines should pay for damages caused.

Ms Nokes also believes the Environmental Agency needs more funding to provide better monitoring of areas close to the river.

The fuel spill has left a significant impact on the nature reserve and earlier this month, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Trust linked the pollution to a dead cygnet and some fish as animals were seen covered in fuel.

The Environment Agency, Natural England, Southern Water, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, The Wessex Rivers Trust, County Councillor Nick Adams-King and Borough Councillors Terese Swain and Phil Bundy, all attended the meeting to discuss the clean-up and how to prevent future incidents in this area.

Excavations have already been made to create sumps to intercept fuel before it reaches the surface water sewer network and Tankers are skimming any residual oil from the flow in the sewer downstream.

A multiple layered series of booms, oil absorbent pads and vacuum skimmers have been set out on the outfall and in the immediate area of the watercourse and a temporary oil separation facility has been set up so that liquid can be treated on-site.

Southern Water has offered to undertake a review of surface drainage at the Nursling Estate. Further investigations will be carried out.

Southern Water has also confirmed it will line a length of sewer pipe to reduce the risk of fuel leaking into the sewer system from the surrounding ground and work will begin as soon as possible.

Caroline Nokes said: “What is imperative is that there is a co-ordinated approach to the clean-up, enforcement and the prevention of future incidents.

“I was very reassured that the Environment Agency and Natural England have a clear plan.

“I remain of the view that if action is successful and fines are levied, there needs to be a mechanism for money recovered from polluters to be spent locally, to make good any environmental impact and introduce new schemes and improvements.

“There was a recurring message about the need for all activities this close to the river to be effectively monitored for the pollution risk, and it was very clear to me that the Environmental Agency needs to be properly funded to enable that to happen.”