Oxfordshire group urges government to protect chalk streams

The Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust has joined the group of nature charities in urging the government to safeguard these rare habitats in planning reforms.

Chalk streams are characterised by their clear waters and diverse wildlife, with 85 per cent of the world's chalk streams found in England, including Letcombe Brook and Chalgrove Brook in Oxfordshire.

Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust president Steve Backshall speaking at the Restore Nature Now march (Image: Logan Walker/BBOWT) In Berkshire there is the Pang, Kennet, Aldbourne, Dun and Lambourne, while Buckinghamshire is home to the Chess, Misbourne, and Wye.

However, out of more than 220 habitats, only 11 have legal protections.

Conservationists argue these measures are insufficient to protect chalk streams from indirect pressures such as pollution elsewhere in a river’s catchment, or abstraction to supply water for new housing.

Estelle Bailey, chief executive of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust, said: "Our chalk streams should be sparkling crystal clear and bursting with life.

"As one of the rarest habitats in the world they should be the crown jewel of our natural environment but like all our rivers they have been let down.

Chalk streams are home to animals including kingfishers (Image: Jamie Hal) "After years of damage and pollution, now is the time to bring in powerful new protections and action so desperately needed to restore our chalk streams to their former glory."

There is currently no formal plan to protect or restore English chalk streams, with the fate of a 'Recovery Pack’ which was in development under the prior government currently unclear.

A letter to Angela Rayner MP and Steve Reed MP, which calls for proper protections, is headed by the Wildlife Trusts and signed by various river, water, and wildlife charities including The Rivers Trust, Angling Trust, River Action, and Wild Trout Trust.

It follows the March for Clean Water, which saw more than 15,000 people, including charities, campaigners, and celebrities, gathered in London calling for the government action to improve the health of rivers, lakes, and seas.

The Restore Nature Now march (Image: Logan Walker/BBOWT) The charities are urging the government to strengthen protections for chalk streams and the species which call them home.

Steve Backshall, wildlife presenter and president of the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust, said: "Chalk streams are our equivalent of the Amazon Rainforest, home to everything from kingfishers to salmon and water voles.

Steve Backshall (Image: Hannah Pollock) "But, like every river in the UK, our chalk streams are under siege. We need the government to deliver on their new promises to provide vital protection for these extraordinary habitats.

"They need us, they need our efforts, and they need proper rules in place to protect them."