Chichester District councillors agreed to invest £180,000 over the next three years to help revive three locally precious and globally unique rivers in western Sussex. The money will be used as part of two projects being led by the Western Sussex Rivers Trust (formerly known as the Arun and Rother Rivers Trust). One will focus on putting into action a restoration plan for the Ems and Hambrook, while the other will begin work on a restoration plan for the River Lavant.

WSRT Trust Manager Aimee Felus explains why this funding is so important:

“The Ems, Hambrook and Lavant are among less than 300 chalk streams and rivers in the world. These rivers and streams were described by the Chalk Stream Restoration Strategy (2021) as our equivalent to the Great Barrier Reef, holding ‘a truly special natural heritage with a responsibility’.