Don’t abandon the Chalk Stream recovery pack
We think the chalk stream recovery pack would increase investment, regulation and transparency; improving the state of all rivers. We feel Chalk streams’ rarity, cultural and ecological importance should make them a priority for conservation, sustainable water management and restoration initiatives.
Signatures
13,081
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 10,000/10,000 · reached
Debate threshold (100,000) · 13,081/100,000
- 25 AUG 2025Petition closedFinal total: 13,081 signatures
- 01 JUL 2025Government respondedDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsGovernment reply
The government has secured £2 billion from water companies over the next five years to deliver more than 1,000 targeted actions for chalk stream restoration as part of our Plan for Change.
Read full response - 29 MAY 202510,000 signatures reachedEligible for a government response
- 25 FEB 2025Petition opened for signatures
Background
Chalk streams are among the rarest freshwater habitats globally, with over 85% located in England, primarily in the south. These streams provide crystal-clear, mineral-rich water that maintains a stable temperature year-round, supporting a diverse range of flora and fauna (brown trout, water voles, kingfishers, and crowfoot).
However, they face significant threats from pollution and over-abstraction of water. We believe they should be protected for future generations.