Home / Environment / 10,000 Tonnes of Sand Cleared from Bridport Harbour
10,000 Tonnes of Sand Cleared from Bridport Harbour
13 Feb
Summary
- A 10,000-tonne sand bar appeared in Bridport harbour entrance in January.
- An 80-tonne crane began dredging the massive sediment deposit on February 2.
- Work to clear the sand bar was expected to be complete by early March.
In January, a colossal sand bar, estimated at 10,000 tonnes, emerged in the entrance of Bridport outer harbour at West Bay, Dorset. This accumulation, the largest seen in over two decades, severely restricted channel depth, creating a high risk of grounding for vessels. Dorset Council initiated emergency measures swiftly, deploying an 80-tonne crane on February 2 to commence dredging.
The crane, equipped with a one-tonne grab, began depositing the dislodged sand onto the East Beach. To expedite the process, water injection dredging trials were scheduled to complement the crane-and-grab method during upcoming spring tides. This innovative technique uses water jets to loosen sediment, allowing natural currents to redistribute it.
In parallel, Bridport Harbour masters continued their routine work using sluice gates to flush sediment during evening low tides. This process, while helpful in reducing silt build-up, is dependent on specific tidal and river conditions and cannot replace dredging. The dredged material is being utilized to replenish East Beach, which also suffered depletion due to recent storms. The Environment Agency is partnering with Dorset Council on this coordinated effort, which also includes stabilising crumbling inner harbour walls.
