Eco-campaigners have vented their fury at rural folk driving their 4x4s over a protected chalk stream.
Protesters say the waterway in Hampshire is being ‘ripped up’ and used as a ‘fun splash route’ by drivers who take their off-road vehicles for a spin.
The River Meon is one of 260 chalk streams on the planet and is home to wildlife including voles, otters, salmon and trout.
Protesters have now turned out in droves at the 200-metre stretch of ancient byway in Droxford urging the council to ban the unusual practice – which is legal due to the waterway being designated as an unclassified road.
Footage of the countryside sport shows motorists driving through waist-high water and causing what activists argue is ‘significant environmental damage’.
In one video, a dirt bike rider appears to say he is an ‘adventurer’ – as quad bikes are also caught crossing the river.
The biker insists people ‘need to get with the times’, fearing increased publicity from the protest might encourage more drivers to come down before any order can be implemented.
It follows some 150 campaigners requesting a traffic regulation order is put in place – criticising Hampshire County Council and the South Downs National Park Authority for allegedly failing to protect the river.
The River Meon reaches around five-feet deep and 15-feet wide at points and is driven through by people most days, especially on weekday evenings and weekends, according to protest organiser Adam Faulkner.
Mr Faulkner, 55, said: ‘The River Meon is such a significant area of conservation and one of only around 200 chalk stream rivers in the world and therefore has a high level of protection.
‘These chalk stream rivers are completely unique and are home to an amazing array of wildlife.
‘It completely goes against all of this to have these 4x4s driving through this wonderful habitat.
‘A lot of people think that it is just a stream crossing but it is not. It is about 200 metres of river that is being damaged.
‘The trucks have to be high-powered vehicles to get through and they rip up the bed of the river. Plants get lifted up and all the small gravel is gone.
‘As a consequence of the bow waves the river gets wider and shallower over time. It has become an area that it is not possible for fish to spawn.
‘It is an area that is pretty devoid of life compared to the upstream sections of the river.
‘It is being used as a sport, as a recreational thing, not as a necessary diversion. No one with any cahoots would take their kids that way to get to school.
‘It is not really being used as access for the crossing. It is being used as a fun splash route.’
Liberal MP Danny Chambers was also among those who arrived to the demonstration, chanting and holding signs saying ‘Rivers Aren’t Roads’ and ‘Protect the Meon’.
Chalk streams are one of the rarest habitats in the world, with campaigners arguing they are already at risk due to pollution, water abstraction and greater urbanisation.
River weeds are currently found to be flourishing in the River Meon but apparently cannot survive in the section where cars drive through – as the smaller gravel gets ripped up and the banks get damaged.
The River Meon rises at East Meon, Hants flowing for 21 miles (34 kms) to the Solent at Hill Head, near Fareham.
A 2023 report on the area concluded that vehicles were having an affect on biodiversity – but over two years later the route remains open.
Fish Legal are working with the campaigners in a bid to protect the river from further environmental damage.
Zoe Wedderburn-Day, Head of Policy & Strategy at Fish Legal, said: ‘Big motorbikes and 4x4s are driving through that stretch of the Meon and it is causing significant environmental damage.
‘Over 80 per cent of the world’s chalk streams are in Britain and this one is home to fantastic wildlife including voles, otters, salmon and trout.
‘This is a deep river. You certainly wouldn’t be out there in your wellies and it is these vehicles that are causing the damage.
‘The river deserves to be protected and they need to act now. There is a lawful reason that they should put the order in place.’
Anthony Mcewen, from Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) Hampshire, said: ‘What is going on is quite crazy.
‘If someone was destroying the habitat of the last 200 elephants in the world we would all be up in arms.
‘This is the equivalent of what is going on with the Meon – one of only 200 or so chalk streams in the world!’
South Downs National Park Authority insisted it was working with Hampshire County Council as a ‘matter of urgency’.
A spokesman added: ‘The South Downs National Park Authority is working with Hampshire County Council as a matter of urgency, to request their intervention due to concern relating to the ongoing degradation of the River Meon at the T189 Mill Lane “splash route”.
‘While the SDNPA holds certain discretionary powers, we cannot regulate traffic on the surfaced sections of Mill Lane.
‘As the Highway and Traffic Authority, Hampshire County Council is the body with the statutory responsibility to implement a comprehensive Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) where environmental harm is occurring.
‘The Authority stands ready to assist Hampshire County Council.’
Hampshire County Council said: ‘We recognise that this is an important chalk stream habitat which, at the same time, is legally a ‘publicly maintainable highway’ allowing access rights.
‘We are, therefore, actively working with all parties involved to come to a resolution as soon as practicable.’
