River Medway group sets out plan to restore water quality and give river legal rights

Residents along the Medway corridor are being invited to join a community effort to clean up and legally protect the river. Friends of the River Medway wants to tackle pollution, improve ecological health and secure what it describes as the intrinsic rights of the river itself, framing the Medway as a living presence rather than something to be managed.

Three strands of work. The practical one covers citizen science monitoring, river health tracking and partnerships with farmers and landowners on regenerative soil and water management. The legal strand focuses on holding polluters to account and pushing for the river to be granted formal legal rights. And then there’s the sacred strand, perhaps the most eyebrow-raising element: pilgrimage, ceremony and contemplative practice, treated as legitimate river care rather than a nice day out.

The backdrop is grim. Only 14% of England’s rivers are in good ecological health, according to the group. Not one river in England passed its most recent chemical water test, with pollutants including PFAS — man-made chemicals that don’t break down — pharmaceuticals and agricultural run-off all cited.

Friends of the River Medway says it is working on the legal front to advocate for the river’s legal rights, challenge polluters and engage with policy and regulation — practising what it calls guardianship today, without waiting for the law to catch up.

The 2026 pilgrimage is provisional. Ten days, starting at Forest Row in East Sussex and finishing in Rochester. Free to join, though walkers cover their own food and accommodation. All ages, abilities and backgrounds welcome.

Key information

• 2026 pilgrimage dates (provisional): 17–27 July 2026
• Route: Forest Row (East Sussex) to Rochester (Kent)
• Cost: Free to join; participants cover their own food and accommodation
• Find out more or register interest: visit the Friends of the River Medway website at formedway.org