As with many navigable waterways, maintenance dredging is regularly carried out in the tidal Thames. This is to maintain safe operational water depths for navigation and to ensure continued access to many of the 70 plus berths, docks, wharves, and jetties that make up the Port of London.

These dredging operations need to strike an appropriate balance between long-term protection of the environment and achieving sustainable economic growth. In addition to following best environmental practice, there is also the need for compliance with environmental legislation including EU Directives.

The 26-page A5 booklet describes the regulatory framework for maintenance dredging within the Port of London and explores the way the PLA and the Thames Estuary Partnership have worked together to prepare a Maintenance Dredging Framework to provide a decision making process for the licensing of third party dredging and approval of PLA dredging operations.

Areas discussed in the publication include: setting up a 'Dredging Liaison Group' with other regulators, operators and key stakeholders; guidance to berth owners and operators;

and the development of the tidal Thames 'Information Exchange System' (IES) - a data management system for environmental information.

Commenting, PLA environmental scientist, Nicola Clay said: 'This booklet explores the way that the environment and the need for sustainable development are taken into account in the modern Port of London.

Activities increasingly need to be conducted transparently to ensure both sustainable economic development and high environmental standards.'

Jenny Stratford, from the Thames Estuary Partnership said: 'We have welcomed the PLA's partnership approach to maintenance dredging and their consideration of other inhabitants and users of the estuary. The Maintenance Dredging Framework demonstrates the benefits of working together and exchanging information to ensure sustainable management of the Thames.'

Copies of 'Maintenance Dredging in the Port of London' are available free from: Martin Garside, PLA, Bakers Hall, 7 Harp Lane, EC3R 6LB.

Tel: 020 7743 7915. Email:

pressoffice@pola. co. uk