UNESCO World Heritage Status and the River Marden

That this House recognises that chalk streams are among the rarest freshwater habitats on Earth, with around 200 known globally, the majority of which are found in England; notes the presence of these unique ecosystems in Wiltshire, including the River Marden in Calne; further notes that chalk streams support exceptional biodiversity; acknowledges the ecological and environmental importance of the River Marden and other chalk streams in Wiltshire to local communities and wildlife; expresses concern at the pressures these rivers face from pollution, over-abstraction and development; welcomes efforts to secure stronger protection for chalk streams, including proposals to nominate England’s chalk streams as a serial UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site; and calls on the Government to begin the formal process of seeking UNESCO designation, strengthen planning protections for chalk streams including the River Marden, and ensure that fines levied on water companies for pollution are reinvested directly into restoring and protecting these irreplaceable rivers for future generations.