Printer Friendly
Email a Friend
Water Injection Trial May Cut Cost of Dredging The Broads
01 May 2006
A pioneering trial that could cut costs for dredging on the lower areas of the Broads, the well known inland waterways in the UK, got under way in April. The Broads Authority said the scheme, costing £30,000, aims to remove 6,200 m3 of silt from the River Bure and will cost only a third of the average price of dredging projects in the Broads.
The trial works by injecting low pressure water into the riverbed sediment, which is then carried out to sea on the tide. Dutch firm Van Oord has developed the technique and will be bringing a tug and dredger to carry out the 10 day exercise.
Waterways manager Trudi Wakelin said, 'This is an innovative solution which has produced excellent results elsewhere. We are hopeful it could prove to be a cost effective solution to the expensive and difficult task of disposing of the sediment and could be a major breakthrough for dredging the lower reaches of the Broads.'
However, Mrs Wakelin said it was not likely to be a solution for the upper, shallower reaches where the tidal flow is not as great.
The navigation will remain open while the trial is in progress, although it will be slightly restricted.
The Broads Authority will be working closely with the Great Yarmouth Port Authority, English Nature, and the Environment Agency to monitor where the sediment comes to rest. The results will help determine where else the new technique might be used.
Images for this article - click to enlarge
Unless otherwise stated, all images copyright © Mercator Media 2008. This does not exclude the owner's assertion of copyright over the material.
