A project to begin removing 44,000 tonnes of silt from Peel Marina will get under way from next week.
The first stage will see contractor Land and Water Services Limited (LAWS) construct a temporary draining pool in a field upstream from the marina, beyond the power station site.
LAWS will be on site from next week and, following the construction of the pool, will start dredging in early March.
The dredging process will involve using a long reach excavator on a floating barge, and the material will be transported 450 metres in purpose-designed trailers to the pool, which will be around 2.5 metres deep and measuring roughly 70m by 100m.
Excess water will be drained back into the River Neb after satisfying environmental standards agreed with the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA).
The material will be stored in the pool and drained over a number of months before being suitable for transportation.
In previous plans, a proposal was made for the silt to be used for land remediation at the former Cross Vein Mine. This has now been revised, however, as the Department of Infrastructure is seeking to extend the range of materials that are deposited at the existing landfill facilities at Turkeylands Quarry, Malew.
A planning application for the strategic waste facility is due to be submitted in early 2020 and will include details of the route to be used to transport material between Peel and Turkeylands.
Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer MHK said: ‘Rigorous and painstaking planning has been undertaken around this complex issue and I’m delighted work will start this week to get the project off the ground.
‘Dredging will take place in two phases – one this spring and another in spring 2021 – with around 22,000 tonnes being lifted out of the marina each time. While this takes place, the Department will continue to work with project partners from DEFA and Manx Utilities to develop a long-term solution for the silt which enters the marina each year.’
He added: ‘The potential development of a strategic waste facility at Turkeylands presented the Department with an option which, following careful consideration, has been chosen as the most appropriate solution. The site is able to accommodate the amount of material to be dredged over both phases and, as it will be sealed, will ensure any remaining heavy metals and other contaminants will be contained.’
Tim Baker MHK, Member for the Department of Infrastructure with responsibility for Ports and chairman of the Peel Marina Project Board, said: ‘I am very pleased that we are able to commence this important project after such a long period of collaborative and challenging work in both DoI and DEFA, supported by the Treasury.
‘The agreed solution will deal with the material in a way which is acceptable from both an environmental and financial perspective. Most importantly, it will ensure the marina is restored to its correct level for access and operation, and will continue to bring real economic benefits to Peel.’
Contractor LAWS will begin constructing the draining pool from next week
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PROJECT TIMELINE
13 January 2020 – Construction begins on draining pool in field at Ballatessan Farm
March-May 2020 – First of two dredging programmes takes place, removing 22,000 tonnes of silt from Peel Marina
Early 2020 - Planning application submitted by Colas Ltd, as site operator, for strategic waste landfill facility at the existing Turkeylands Quarry facility
Autumn/winter 2020/21 – Drained silt transported to strategic waste landfill facility at Turkeylands Quarry
Spring 2021 – Second phase of dredging takes place to remove remaining 22,000 tonnes of silt from Peel Marina
Autumn/winter 2021/22 – Drained silt transported to strategic waste landfill facility at Turkeylands Quarry
Spring/summer 2022 – Draining pool dismantled and field reinstated
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PROJECT IN NUMBERS
44,000 – tonnes of material to be excavated from Peel Marina
2,750 – number of loads to be taken in purpose-designed trailers holding 16 tonnes
64 – number of days planned for each dredging programme, which works out at 22 return trips to the draining pool for trailers each day
Draining pool construction and pipeline installation – 10 hours per day, 6 days a week, Monday to Saturday 8am to 6pm
Dredging and transportation to draining pool – 12 hours per day, 7 days a week, 7am to 7pm
Draining pool decommissioning and pipeline removal – Up to 10 hours a day, 6 days a week, Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm and Saturday 8am to 2pm
