Visit from MPs to the River Lark

At Jo Churchill MP’s request, Anglian Water invited a number of Lark stakeholder organisations including RLCP to spend a morning to brainstorm how future government policy might aid restoration of chalk streams such as the Lark over the next few years. Rebecca Pow MP, until recently the Environment Minister for rivers also attended. RLCP pitched in actively in the discussion and assisted in organisation, including Steph providing home-baked cakes for everyone. Jo Churchill sent a message to thank all the participants for their time and Sam Westwood from Anglian Water thanked Annie and her team from Fullers Mill Gardens for hosting us at very short notice.

Jo Churchill MP and Rebecca Pow MP at Fullers Mill Gardens

Lark Flagship - major step forward
At the event an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) was signed between Anglian Water and RLCP covering the two years of planning for implementing the Flagship project at the end of 2024. The Lark Flagship is one of 12 chalk streams identified as a national priority.

At the Chalk Stream Flagship national launch last year, Rebecca Pow Environment Minister stated:  “Chalk streams are both incredibly rare and a hugely important part of our environmental heritage” Tony Juniper Chair of Natural England added “These habitats are subject to a complex range of pressures, however, from pollution arising from road runoff, agriculture and sewage, to low flow resulting from abstraction for public water supply and physical damage to the water courses.” The Lark is one of the first Flagship projects to be fully underway. Planning work has already started with a “natural capital” study commissioned and completed.