UNESCO World Heritage status for chalk streams in England

Motion Text

That this House recognises that chalk streams are among the rarest freshwater habitats on Earth, with around 200 known globally and approximately 85% found in England; notes that these unique rivers support exceptional biodiversity, including Atlantic salmon, water vole, brown trout, southern damselfly and white-clawed crayfish; further notes the internationally significant chalk streams flowing through South Cambridgeshire, including the River Cam, River Rhee, River Granta and Bourn Brook; acknowledges the profound environmental, cultural and scientific importance of these globally rare ecosystems and the growing pressures they face from pollution, over-abstraction, sewage discharges and unsustainable development; welcomes the introduction of the Chalk Streams (UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site) Bill on 25 February 2026; further recognises the tireless work of local communities, conservation organisations and chalk stream groups working to protect these fragile habitats; and calls on the Government to begin the formal process of nominating England’s chalk streams as a serial UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, strengthen planning and environmental protections for chalk streams, tackle over-abstraction and pollution, and ensure that fines levied on water companies for environmental damage are reinvested directly into restoring and protecting these irreplaceable rivers.