East Sussex town council moves to provide the River Ouse with legal rights

Lewes District Council in East Sussex has passed a motion that could see the River Ouse given legal rights.

The ‘Rights of River’ motion was proposed by councillor, and cabinet member for sustainability, Matthew Bird. He commented: “I'm delighted that Lewes is the first council in England, I believe, to pass a motion of this kind that is about valuing the river in its own right and rethinks our relationship with it. Our waterways face constant harm from pollution, road runoff, development and climate change and the health and wellbeing of the River Ouse is severely under threat.

"This motion is the first step towards a Rights of River Ouse Charter through which the health and wellbeing of the river is represented and voiced by local communities throughout the Ouse Valley catchment.”