The GWCT welcomes the proposed amendments to the government’s Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill (LURB) that would add chalk streams into the definitions of ‘environmental protection’ and ‘natural environment’ in the bill, meaning that the government must consider chalk streams when setting the outcomes that will form the framework of environmental assessments in the future. Our precious chalk streams, 85% of which occur in England, are under threat and need support and action at all levels to ensure that they return to the thriving habitats they once were and are protected for future generations.
Dylan Roberts, Head of GWCT Fisheries, said: “I broadly support this announcement, but it was only achieved after a hard push through the House of Lords by a number of peers, including the Earl of Caithness, who asked for explicit consideration of chalk streams in the levelling-up programme. However, the devil is in the detail, and we shall follow closely what hard action and additional resources are actually put towards the restoration and protection of our precious chalk streams. £5 million from the Environment Agency is admirable, but much more is needed.”