Protest over 'shelved' chalk stream recovery plan

The River Test suffered from "polluting effluent" last year, councillors said

More than 200 councillors have signed an open letter protesting against the government's "reported" abandonment of a plan to restore chalk streams.

The previous Conservative government announced plans for a Chalk Stream Recovery Pack in June 2023.

However, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust (HIWWT), which organised the letter, said there was "widespread concern" that the scheme had been shelved.

In a statement, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) did not comment on the scheme but said it was committed to restoring chalk streams.

The open letter, to Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, said: "Water quality in chalk streams across the UK continues to worsen, with unabated pollution from our highways.

"Salmon, genetically distinct to southern chalk streams, are at a tipping point of extirpation, compounded by deteriorating water quality."

The letter added that "polluting effluent" had flowed last year into Hampshire's Test and Itchen rivers, Wiltshire's Avon and Berkshire's Kennet, while Norfolk's River Gaywood had been harmed by dredging and vegetation clearance.

HIWWT chief executive Debbie Tann said chalk streams were at risk of being destroyed

The 215 councillors, from Labour, Conservative and other parties, said: "We are disappointed to hear recent reports that the Chalk Stream Recovery Pack has been abandoned."

They urged the government to clarify its position.

In November, nature charities wrote to the government calling for reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework to protect chalk streams.

HIWWT chief executive Debbie Tann said ministers could still incorporate protections within the forthcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

She said: "Without specific, robust protections embedded into planning policy, we risk these irreplaceable and fragile habitats being damaged or even destroyed."

In December, the Environment Agency reported the third-lowest count of salmon returning to the Itchen and Test in 35 years of recording.

It said: "The 2024 returning stock estimate emphasises the extent to which Hampshire salmon are at risk and the urgency with which they must be given far greater priority in river management decisions."

In its statement, DEFRA did not comment on the Chalk Stream Recovery Pack.

It said: "This Government is committed to restoring chalk streams and is investing in 55 river catchment projects to improve chalk streams, which will help clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good."

It said it had also taken measures to address poor performance by water companies through the Water (Special Measures) Bill and had acted to ringfence spending on infrastructure.