The second reading of the Chalk Streams (Protection) Bill, which will give chalk streams an enhanced status to protect them from pollution and environmental damage, will take place in Parliament this week.

The private members’ bill, presented by Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Green, aims to provide additional protection for chalk streams, giving them an added layer of protection under the law.
The bill calls for the creation of a category of protection for chalk streams, and that the Secretary of State must, by regulations, provide for a category of protection for chalk streams in England for the purpose of providing additional protections from pollution, abstraction and other forms of environmental damage.
Sarah, who has been a champion for the local environment, has already presented a Bill to the House of Commons that would have provided chalk streams legal protections – but the general election was called before it could be passed.