Wiltshire’s chalk streams, including the River Marden in Calne, could be given global protection under plans backed by local MPs.
Wiltshire Liberal Democrat MPs Sarah Gibson and Brian Mathew have pledged their support for a campaign to secure UNESCO Natural World Heritage status for the county’s chalk streams, describing them as among the rarest habitats on Earth.
Only around 200 chalk streams exist worldwide, with the majority found in England. One of them, the River Marden, runs through both MPs’ constituencies and through Calne.
Chalk streams are considered ecologically unique, supporting more plant species than any other type of English river and providing habitats for wildlife including Atlantic salmon, water vole, brown trout, southern damselfly and white-clawed crayfish.
Both MPs have backed the Liberal Democrat-led Chalk Streams Bill, signed a letter urging the Government to begin the UNESCO nomination process, and supported a parliamentary motion calling for stronger protections.
Speaking after tabling the motion, Ms Gibson said chalk streams were a “true natural treasure”.
She said: “Wiltshire's chalk streams are among the rarest habitats on Earth. These rivers are as rare and important as the Great Barrier Reef, but instead of being protected, they are drying up while being polluted and ignored.
“I’m calling on the Government to recognise chalk streams as a jewel in the crown of our natural heritage by nominating them as a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site.”
She also called for stronger planning protections and for fines issued to water companies for pollution to be reinvested into restoring rivers.
Mr Mathew said the county’s chalk streams were under “increasing pressure from pollution, over-abstraction and unsustainable development”.
He added: “These rivers are vital for wildlife, shape our landscapes, and sit at the heart of local communities. Protecting them must be a priority, not an afterthought.”
Support for the campaign has also come from Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.
Carrie Starbuck, the trust’s Director of Nature Recovery, said chalk streams were “globally rare habitats” facing growing threats from pollution, water extraction and climate change.
She said: “Securing UNESCO status would be a powerful step forward, giving chalk streams the recognition, protection and long-term commitment they urgently need.”
The campaign forms part of a wider push to nominate England’s chalk streams as a serial UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, which would place them alongside some of the world’s most significant natural environments.
Campaigners argue the designation would strengthen protections and help secure long-term investment to restore rivers such as the River Marden for future generations.
Credit Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
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