Row over new port's river dredging (From Thurrock Gazette)

Row over new port's river dredging

11:36am Friday 13th November 2009

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A ROW has erupted over the potentially disastrous effect dredging the River Thames at Stanford-le-Hope could have on marine life.

Southend’s Sealife Adventure Centre, which uses water from the estuary to fill its aquariums, says the operation could disturb toxic metals and other chemicals trapped in the sea bed.

DP World is carrying out the operation to allow huge container ships to enter its new London Gateway Port, at the former Shell Haven site in Stanford-le-Hope.

Sealife Centre curator David Knapp said: “The dredging gear is basically like a giant cheese slice being dragged over the seabed.

“It could disturb toxic metals and other chemicals, which have until now been locked up in the seabed.

"As well as potentially destroying marine life in the Thames Estuary, it could also have a catastrophic effect on our aquarium.”

Centre chief executive Philip Miller has asked DP World to fund tests into how the water quality will be affected once dredging starts, but said it has refused.

He said: “If the water quality is too badly affected once this dredging starts, it could literally end up killing the creatures in Sealife Adventure.

“I have repeatedly asked DP World to fund the University of Essex to carry out testing now, and when the dredging begins, so we can monitor the situation – but it has totally refused to help us.”

DP World spokesman Xavier Woodward said dredging activity has already been safely carried out in the Thames Estuary in the past and a full Environmental Impact Assessment was carried out as part of the public inquiry into London Gateway in 2003.

He said: “The planning inspector gave the go-ahead for the port development after environmental experts, such as the Environment Agency and the Centre for Environment Fisheries & Aquaculture Sciences, had carefully assessed and considered all of the potential impacts.

“The London Gateway team is already extensively monitoring the Thames Estuary prior to dredging taking place.

"Should the dredging programme commence, marine monitoring will take place during the works and will continue well after dredging has been completed.”

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