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Where Will Toxic Silt Be Dumped? Govt Tight Lipped

Wed, 24 Oct 2018

An MHK says full details of a plan to dispose of contaminated silt from Peel Marina next year can’t yet be revealed, but it will provide ‘environmental benefits’.

The Department of Infrastructure is seeking expressions of interest for contractors to dredge and de-water the material – the next step in the process has yet to be explained.

Tim Baker, who chairs the Peel Marina Project Board, says the public will find out more once planning applications are put forward in the near future, and the full solution will then be revealed.

‘It’s a positive and sustainable way of dealing with the problem, which we hope will provide environmental benefits’.

Options that were previously considered include re-invigorating old mining areas, geo-textile bags, and dumping at sea, an option which has now been ruled out due to environmental concerns.

Mr Baker admits the issue has proven tough to tackle, but a ‘crucial’ first step has been taken.

The Ayre and Michael MHK had previously said that dumping in 2018 was a must.

The silt has now built up for the last three years, and as a result ‘interim arrangements’ have been made to placate marina users whose berths have been affected.
 
Mr Baker has been speaking to Local Democracy Reporter Ewan Gawne:

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Media

• Tim Baker MHK