Liz Jarvis MP sponsors Bill to recognise chalk streams as a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site

Member of Parliament for Eastleigh, Liz Jarvis, has sponsored a Bill introduced by Pippa Heylings MP that calls on the Government to recognise chalk streams by nominating them as a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, giving them status and protection for future generations. 

Ms Jarvis has been a long-time campaigner for chalk stream preservation, including for the Rivers Itchen and Test which run through her constituency. Data shows Southern Water discharged 404 hours of sewage into the River Itchen in the first two months of 2026. England is home to 85% of rare chalk streams globally, however, only 1/6 meet ‘good ecological status’. 

Liz Jarvis, Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh, said: 

“I am very proud to be a sponsor of this incredibly important Bill. Protecting our rare rivers is not just a local concern but a global responsibility, as their loss would mean the disappearance of a unique and irreplaceable ecosystem. 

“While the government has announced strategies and targets to improve the situation, we are still seeing staggering levels of avoidable pollution, and the situation just not improving.”