Woman campaigns to give River Avon legal rights as living entity

A woman in Bristol held a ceremonial wedding with the River Avon in June 2023 to draw attention to sewage pollution in UK waterways. Megan Ruth-Trump, also known as Meg Avon, has since left her previous job to campaign full-time for the river to receive legal rights.

She is working with researcher Elena Blanco at the University of the West of England on a river charter involving four local councils. The aim is for the River Avon to be recognised as a living entity under the law, rather than simply as property that can be used or damaged without consequence.

Ruth-Trump has said she will renew her vows if the river achieves this legal status. The River Wye previously became the first river in the UK to gain cross-border legal rights.