Southampton’s rivers, the Itchen and the Test, are considered by many to be at the heart of our city’s identity and wellbeing. Our rivers are however facing increasing threats from pollution, and safeguarding them requires urgent action.
In response Labour Cllr Alice Kloker brought forward a motion to the council this week on the Universal Declaration of River Rights, saying “this motion connects Southampton to a global movement of communities who recognise that our rivers aren’t just resources – they are living entities woven into the fabric of our city.”
Cllr Kloker’s motion calls for:
- the Council to work to enhance the water and habitat quality of our rivers and take all necessary measures to protect these ecosystems
- the voice of residents to be central in shaping how Southampton protects it rivers
- the council consider a condition on the planning process, to have no adverse impact on the health, water quality or ecological integrity, and to, where possible, deliver improvements
Labour’s cabinet member for net-zero, Cllr John Savage has been in discussions with Southern Water about the city’s shared ambition to achieve designated bathing water status for the Itchen estuary and make Southampton’s rivers safe, healthy, and as nature rich as they once were.
Cllr John Savage said “ The Rivers Test and Itchen are the environmental jewels in the crown of Southampton. There has never been a more important time to bring forward this motion to secure the future of our precious chalk stream rivers.We will be working with our vast army of community and environmental groups who we will be working to hold the Council, the water companies, the port and other businesses, to account for the protection of the river.”
Cllrs Kloker and Savage have pledged to hold the council to these obligations and work together with the community to protect these vital parts of Southampton.
Cllr Savage welcomes the community investment in these efforts and would encourage anyone with an interest in conservation to get involved in these vital efforts to protect Southampton’s rivers.
