Nine UK Councils Sign Avon Bioregional Charter of River Rights

Nine local councils, including Bristol City, Bath and North East Somerset, and North Somerset, signed the Avon Bioregional Charter of River Rights (ABCRR) on World Rivers Day. Developed by the campaign group Conham Bathing and promoted by the movement We Are Avon, the charter enshrines the Bristol River Avon's rights to exist, thrive, evolve naturally, and remain free from pollution.

While the charter does not create new legal obligations or replace statutory duties, proponents describe it as a social contract designed to align governance bodies around moral rights and empower grassroots stewardship. The initiative is part of a broader bioregional movement that coordinates farmers and river guardians to manage the river based on ecological systems rather than political boundaries.

To implement these principles, Bath and North East Somerset has appointed a river advocate and plans to embed the charter's goals into its 2027 climate and nature strategy.