The River Brue, flowing from Brewham near Bruton across the Somerset Levels towards Burnham-on-Sea, has been granted six fundamental rights as part of a local initiative to enhance biodiversity and reduce pollution. Glastonbury Town Council introduced the River Brue Charter following extensive community engagement and environmental advocacy.
The river, which passes through areas including Glastonbury and Street before reaching the Bristol Channel, has been shaped by centuries of human intervention. Over recent years, efforts by organisations such as the Somerset River Authority have involved detailed modelling and collaboration with landowners to plan enhancements for the river and its surroundings.
The River Brue Charter was formally adopted by Glastonbury Town Council on September 8, following its introduction at Living Brue Day in March. This public event brought together local residents, environmental campaigners, and representatives from bodies including Wessex Water, the National Farmers' Union, the Somerset Eel Recovery Project, and Surfers Against Sewage.
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The rights granted by the charter aim to secure funding and support for future conservation projects, reflecting the town and county’s declared climate and ecological emergencies from 2019. The charter emphasises a relationship of guardianship and ecological justice between the river and its communities, to benefit current and future generations.
The United Kingdom has seen freshwater species declines of up to 85 per cent since 1970, with many species now classified as at risk. Rivers worldwide have been granted similar rights according to the Universal Declaration on the Rights of Rivers; among these are the River Wye in Wales, and the Rivers Tone, Char, and Lym in Somerset and Dorset.
Glastonbury Town Council drew inspiration from the River Char Action Group, which established its own charter in 2023 after wide community input. Volunteers along the Brue actively monitor water quality and investigate pollution sources, collaborating with nearby river groups to address wider watershed concerns.
Recognising that rivers cross multiple administrative areas, the charter encourages cooperation among communities along the river’s length. This approach can lead to more comprehensive protection and ecological restoration.
Beyond environmental efforts, the charter also supports improved public access to the riverbank and nearby green spaces. Currently, public footpaths along the river, including routes near Pomparles Bridge and Back River Drove, connect to enhanced walkways such as the Willow Walk and the National Cycle Network route 3, which leads towards the Avalon Marshes nature reserves.
Following the charter’s adoption, Glastonbury Town Council is reaching out to neighbouring town and parish councils responsible for areas through which the River Brue flows, aiming to build a shared commitment to the river’s wellbeing. Interested parties can contact the council for further involvement and information.
The council emphasises that widespread adoption of the River Brue Charter will provide a unified framework for decision-making, encourage cooperative action upstream and downstream, and underpin future partnerships and funding opportunities. This collaborative approach seeks to improve water quality, restore habitats, boost biodiversity, and safeguard the River Brue’s health for generations to come.