Protecting Newbury’s Rare Chalk Streams from M4 Pollution

Newbury is lucky to be home to two of the UK’s precious chalk streams: the River Kennet and the River Lambourn. These globally rare ecosystems support an incredible range of wildlife and are an important part of our local heritage and identity. But right now, they are under serious threat.

One of the issues affecting these rivers is pollution from the M4. Vehicle runoff—carrying oil, heavy metals, tyre particles, and other contaminants—is flowing directly into our waterways via outdated and unregulated drainage systems. These pollutants are toxic and, in some cases, even carcinogenic. The damage they are doing to our rivers is deeply worrying.

That’s why I’ve written to the National Highways, urging them to urgently review and upgrade the drainage systems along this stretch of the M4. The infrastructure simply isn’t fit for purpose. We need proper filtration and runoff treatment to stop dangerous contaminants entering our streams.

This is part of a bigger picture. Chalk streams are a national environmental asset. There are only around 260 in the world—most of them right here in southern England. We must do everything we can to protect them. I've already called for these rivers to be given the highest level of environmental protection and will keep pressing in Parliament and with agencies until meaningful action is taken.