Taking Action to Protect Newbury’s Chalk Streams

Chalk streams are one of England’s rarest natural treasures, and around 85% of the worlds chalk streams are found here in the UK. In Newbury, we are extremely lucky to have two: the Kennet and the Pang. But these irreplaceable habitats are in a perilous state.

In 2024 alone, there were over 8,900 hours of sewage discharges across Newbury, and nationally, campaigners at Surfers Against Sewage reported that a shocking 4.7 million hours of sewage was dumped into UK waters. At the same time, water companies paid £1.2 billion to shareholders.

That cannot be right – we need an overhaul of the system that finally puts an end to pollution for profit.  

This week, Channel 4 aired the factual drama Dirty Business, featuring Professor Peter Hammond’s work (played by David Thewlis), exposing the grim reality of sewage pollution and regulatory failure across the country. But unlike the typical TV drama with a happy ending, in this case, the fight for change is far from over. The programme gives voice to what many communities, including ours in Newbury, have long faced: river systems overwhelmed by untreated sewage, too often discharged illegally.

Locally, I continue to bring together the Environment Agency, Thames Water, and Action for the River Kennet to push for action: tripling inspections, improving Sewage Treatment Works, and strengthening ongoing monitoring.

This is real progress, but it must go alongside immediate change from the centre. The Government’s Water White Paper failed to put forward the decisive action that is desperately needed. In Parliament, the Liberal Democrats have led this push from the start, and we will continue calling for the fundamental reform that will end this scandal once and for all.

I have also signed the cross-party letter put forward by my Liberal Democrat colleague Peppa Heylings MP, calling for chalk streams to be recognised as serial UNESCO Natural World Heritage Sites, reflecting their international significance and ecological importance.

Our chalk streams are globally rare and locally loved, but they need our urgent protection before it’s too late.