Campaigners push to better protect chalk streams

Environmental campaigners are calling for greater protection for chalk streams.

The streams are one of the world's rarest freshwater habitats and the vast majority are found in England.

The London Wildlife Trust says they do not have sufficient legal protection and wants them to be included in the National Planning Policy Framework, which is open for consultation until Tuesday.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the government was delivering a "once-in-a-generation" reform to the water industry, which includes "immediate action" to clean up chalk streams.

Chalk streams emerge from springs in porous chalk bedrock, which acts as a filter to remove sediment, characterised by beautifully clear water and a gravelly bottom.

There are only 220 in existence, the majority of which are in southern England.

One example is the River Wandle, which emerges from chalky springs in Carshalton Ponds, south-east London, near Festival Walk.

Richard Barnes, from the London Wildlife Trust, told BBC London: "They're special on a world stage, 85% of chalk streams are in England.

"They're wonderful habitats, they're great for people as well, people really enjoy them, whether it's areas like this where you can find kingfishers and grey wagtails and it's just a unique resource that we really should steward properly."

Barnes added: "We're asking that chalk streams are put into the same category as irreplaceable habitats as other certain habitats in the National Planning Policy Framework.

"Other habitats have been recognised, such as ancient woodland and limestone pavements."

A Defra spokesperson said £2bn of water company investment had been secured over five years to restore chalk streams as well as upgrading the abstraction licensing system.

Thames Water said over the next five years it was delivering the "most significant upgrade to the wastewater network in 150 years".

"This programme will increase treatment capacity, cut storm discharges, and introduce new nutrient‑reduction schemes across our region," a spokesperson said.

"We are also working closely with partners to improve the River Wandle, an urban river facing multiple pollution challenges. This includes progressing the fish‑pass scheme at Goatbridge and developing further fish‑passage and river‑restoration projects in Beddington Park."