Communities Against River Pollution (CARP) writes for the Standard.
OUR RIVER is alive – and just like big corporations (who have legal rights) – we want to move towards a point where the River Severn has rights too.
That’s why we are reaching out to all residents of Wyre Forest to sign our newly launched petition.
Our target is to reach the 1,018 signatures required so Wyre Forest District Council will discuss granting our stretch of the River Severn a River Rights Charter and guardianship structure.
Please visit here: change.org/RiverSevernCharter to sign the petition.
Why do we need a charter?
Unlike some countries, there is no national legislation in the UK which gives rivers rights.
Having a River Charter gives the river certain rights eg the right to flow, be free from pollution, exist in its natural state, and have its voice represented in council decision-making.
With measurable targets attached to the charter, the council will be required to take the river into consideration when planning applications are submitted.
It also gives the River a status which at the moment is ignored.
A total of 40 councils are considering River Rights with the River Wye (our nearest neighbour) having been granted a charter on Mar 9 this year by Herefordshire Council.
The granting of these charters is a way of protecting our rivers and is also the starting point in a conversation which we hope will eventually move to a national legislative process.
Bewdley River Festival
The petition and its theme ‘Rights of Rivers’ will be central to the first Bewdley River Festival that CARP (Communities Against River Pollution) is currently planning.
This will be an arts and nature-based festival with events and activities from June 7, through to World Rivers Day on September 27.
Central to the festival is a photography competition (open to all, 16 years old and over) focusing on the theme ‘Rights of Rivers’ and the question ‘Is a River Alive?’
Visit: severncarp.org.uk/events/ for more information on the photography competition.
What you can do
CARP needs local people to support this festival and you can do that in many ways:
• You can attend events/activities
• Become a festival volunteer
• Join us in our Bewdley Carnival walking Procession on June 27 (river themed clothes or headdress)
• Donate to help us raise funds for the festival
Be part of the change
Help us to make our river healthy, vibrant and safe for us and future generations to enjoy.
Please email: [email protected] for more on CARP and how you can get involved.
And you can head to: facebook.com/groups/CARP.Bewdley/ to follow CARP on Facebook.
