Marchers call for better chalk stream protection

More than 100 campaigners have marched alongside a rare chalk stream, calling for action to protect it from pollution.

The Old Basing and Lychpit Environmental Campaign highlighted Thames Water's storm overflow figures showing that raw sewage has flowed into the River Loddon near Basingstoke for 650 hours, already this year.

John Robertson from the group said wildlife in the river was "very precious".

Thames Water said it was "committed to playing our full part" in improving the health of chalk streams.

The River Loddon's upper reaches in Hampshire and Berkshire are considered a chalk stream, as are the connected rivers Lyde and Whitewater in Hampshire.

Chalk streams which are rare and ecologically-important habitats, emerge from springs in porous chalk bedrock and act as a filter to remove sediment.

They are characterised by clear water and gravelly bottoms. There are thought to be only 220 in existence - the majority of which are in southern England.

Robertson said when wastewater enters these bodies of water it "kills off the wildlife" that exists in the water.

"There's some very precious wildlife in the River Loddon.

"There are eels that come from the other side of the world to spawn in the river and that habitat will be lost to all wildlife if sewage continues to be spilled into the river."

Protesters also raised concerns that any plans for extra housing would lead to increased run-off and affect the aquatic environment.

Dee Haas of local campaign group, Stand up for the North Hants Downs, questioned how extra housing could be built "if we can't handle the water supply that we already have and the sewage that we're already producing".

Thames Water said: "Chalk streams are a rare and irreplaceable part of our natural heritage, and we are committed to playing our full part in their recovery.

"That means reducing pressures through more sustainable abstraction, investing in modern wastewater treatment, and expanding the use of nature based solutions.

"However, we cannot do this alone – farming, industry and road runoff as well as increasingly extreme weather all influence river health."

The utility added that, over the next five years, it was delivering its biggest upgrade to the wastewater network and assets.

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