Protecting our Chalk Streams: Meeting with Local Stakeholders

Chalk streams are among England’s most precious natural habitats, yet just 14% of rivers and lakes are in good ecological health. Here in Newbury and West Berkshire, where the River Kennet and Pang run through our communities, continued action and accountability is more important than ever.

That is why I recently held the second virtual roundtable with the Environment Agency, Thames Water, and Action for the River Kennet (ARK). Following on from the session held last year, the aim was to ensure that impactful, coordinated action was being delivered on the ground.

On multiple fronts, there are encouraging signs of progress. The Environment Agency has significantly increased the number of in-person inspections, tripling from around 100 a year to over 300 across our local catchments in Kennet and Pang. These inspections have identified several beaches of environmental limits, and enforcement action in now under way.

At the same time, ARK continues its vital monitoring work, with nearly two decades of riverfly data highlighting the impact of low flows and concentrated pollution. They are expanding volunteer training and launching an agricultural engagement event this spring, ensuring communities remain at the heart of the solution. Their local leadership continues to play a crucial role in understanding and improving our rivers.

In the Environment Agency’s October Annual Performance Report, Thames Water was confirmed as a one-star company, and while improvements are being made locally, major challenges persist. Importantly, plans are under way to increase capacity at Newbury’s Sewage Treatment Works and £1.5 million of funding has been committed to the River Pang Project.

These developments are crucial, but commitments alone are not enough, so I will urge Thames Water to provide me with regular updates on these initiatives to ensure we receive clear timelines and meaningful outcomes.

Among other things, road runoff was also discussed, particularly from the M4. National Highways are now carrying out inspections at all key sites, with significant maintenance and drainage improvements planned.

Tangible progress has been made, and these updates are welcome, but protecting our waterways requires long-term effort. That’s why I will continue to work closely with the Environment Agency, ARK, Thames Water, and West Berkshire Council to ensure our chalk streams receive the protection they desperately deserve.