The Court of Appeal has upheld a High Court judgment that found the UK Government and Environment Agency had failed in their legal duties to restore a polluted river in North Yorkshire – a decision that could have far-reaching implications for rivers across the country.

The case was brought by Fish Legal, on behalf of the Pickering Fishery Association, over the condition of the Costa Beck, a once-thriving spring-fed stream that has suffered severe ecological degradation due to pollution from sewage and other sources.

The courts found that the Government’s River Basin Management Plan for the Costa Beck was “unlawfully vague and non-committal” and lacked the specific, legally required measures to drive restoration. The appeal judgment reinforces the obligation on authorities to actively regulate polluters and put credible, enforceable plans in place. While this case relates to England, the parallels with river management challenges in Scotland are clear.

Fisheries Management Scotland commends this landmark legal outcome from our Missing Salmon Alliance partner Fish Legal and the determination of local anglers in holding regulators to account.

📄 Read the full ruling and background from Fish Legal