RBWM Backs Charter of Rights for the River Thames

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead has endorsed a Charter of Rights for the River Thames, marking a significant step forward in protecting and restoring this iconic river. 

A motion to support the Charter of Rights was proposed by Cllr Mark Wilson at the RBWM Full Council meeting of 22^nd September 2026, and seconded by Cllr Mandy Brar. Council passed the motion with 20 votes in favour, six abstentions and one vote against. 

This decision demonstrates the Council’s strong commitment to environmental stewardship and its ambition to deliver Berkshire’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy, playing its part to help ensure the long-term health of the River Thames and its tributaries.

The Charter recognises the intrinsic rights of the River Thames and establishes a framework for action to improve the river’s ecological condition:

• The right to flow and perform natural functions
• The right to biodiversity
• The right to be free from pollution
• The right to be supported by a healthy catchment
• The right to regenerate
• The right to representation

Councillor Mark Wilson (Eton & Castle), Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods & Leisure, said:

“In Eton and Castle, and across Windsor and the borough, many residents are angry about the volume of sewage discharges, pollution and rubbish entering the river, and the consequent impact on those who enjoy being in, on or around it.

Legal powers for pollution enforcement sit with the Environment Agency. While I have joined many national campaigns on water quality, I have wanted to take action locally.

By adopting this Charter, we are making a clear statement that the river’s health matters to all of us and must be protected. This is about working together with partners and communities to restore the river by recognising its inherent rights and making positive changes.

I invite all other Councils along the Thames, from source to sea, to consider supporting it. A shared commitment by Thames-side authorities to uphold these fundamental rights would send a powerful message to Thames Water, the Environment Agency and Government: take clear action to restore river health and support our natural environment.”

The River Thames is in poor condition due to pressures such as pollution, nutrient overload and climate change. By adopting the Charter, the Council will consider river rights in key policies and in its decision-making processes, including planning and land management, ensuring the river’s health is taken into account across its work.

Councillor Mandy Brar (Cookham) said:

“The River Thames is not simply a river running through our Borough. It is part of our identity, our heritage and our natural environment. For communities such as Cookham and Maidenhead, it is something we must protect for future generations.

We should be absolutely clear: our rivers should be clean, healthy and free from sewage pollution. This Charter gives us an opportunity to say that we will not take the health of the Thames for granted.

We need stronger action to reduce sewage pollution, tackle surface-water and road run-off, protect riverbanks and wetlands, and restore habitats that allow fish, birds, insects and other wildlife to thrive.

Recognising and upholding these river rights is also about our communities. A healthy river helps us deal with flooding, supports biodiversity and provides a place where residents can walk, enjoy nature and connect with the environment around them.”

The Thames Charter of Rights (‘Thames Carta’) has been modelled on the landmark Charter for the Rights of the River Wye by a local volunteer-led project. The Wye Charter was developed collaboratively with expertise from local authorities, environmental organisations and communities to create a shared framework for action across the river catchment. Under the banner Thames Carta, the project aims to establish a similar Charter for the River Thames from source to sea.

Ric Casale, project lead for Thames Carta, said:

“As a local resident, I am personally delighted by the leadership of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council in supporting the Charter of Rights for the River Thames.

The concept of rights for rivers is an idea whose time has come. It has gained momentum amongst local Councils across the country, from the River Wye to the River Ouse, and is becoming more influential given the state of many of our rivers due to their poor treatment.

Adopting this Charter is a starting point and the real difference will come when individuals and organisations uphold these rights, in their own way, to protect the Thames. Wherever you live along the Thames, I invite you and your organisation to sign the Charter (www.thamescarta.org) and pledge whatever action you can take.”

The Charter is a strong tool for raising awareness of the issues facing the river and is a convenient means to stimulate conversation and raise awareness throughout our communities. 

This complements the Liberal Democrats’ long standing campaign to “Stop the Sewage” –  support that campaign and add your name to our petition.