Bristol to Recognise the Rights of the Avon

Bristol City Council, which is led by the Green Party, is set to recognise the rights of the River Avon.

Green councillors including Abi Finch, Lisa Stone and Martin Fodor have been working with neighbouring local authorities and the campaign group We Are Avon to progress the River Avon Charter.

The River Avon Charter lays out 7 rights for the Avon:

1. Right to exist, thrive, and evolve naturally
2. Right to flow sustainably
3. Right not to be polluted
4. Right to biodiversity integrity
5. Right to regeneration and restoration
6. Right to cultural and community connection
7. Right to representation and advocacy

Councillor Abi Finch, Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee, said “This charter is about recognising the intrinsic value of our rivers and streams and the ecological systems they support. It is also about understanding the responsibility we all share to protect the Avon, and nature more widely.

“It’s been wonderful to work with We Are Avon and neighbouring councils from across the Avon catchment area on bringing forwards this charter. It’s clear that this is an ambition that everyone cares about and we can really unite behind.”

As well as the River Avon Charter, Bristol is already ahead of the curve when it comes to prioritising the protection of our waterways. In November 2024, the council passed a motion brought by the Liberal Democrats entitled “Save our Rivers: Stopping the Sewage Scandal”.

One of the actions this committed to was setting up the One City Clean Rivers working group, which has brought together groups and organisations including water companies to consider water quality in our rivers and streams.

The One City Clean Rivers working group has now come up with an action plan which will also be discussed at the Environment and Sustainability Committee on Thursday.

Councillor Martin Fodor said,  “By recognising the rights of the Avon, and through the work of the One City Clean Rivers board, we are demonstrating that Bristol is committed to clean and healthy rivers.

“What we need now is national action. While water companies based in other countries continue to profit, the Government must hold them to account and demand that they clean up our rivers and invest in key water infrastructure. Or even better, take them back into public control.”

The River Avon Charter is set to be referred from the Environment and Sustainability Committee to Bristol full council for endorsement in September.

Notes:

• 01. Committee Report.pdf
• Appendix A – River charter for the Avon.pdf
• Bristol will follow Bath and North East Somerset – ‘Wife’ of River Avon persuades councillors to protect it – BBC News