Christchurch Harbour

[Paul D]

Dregding of the harbour has started.

 

Harbour Dregde

 

Date Published: Thursday 22 December 2005

 

Dredging starts in harbour

by Robin Thompkins

 

 

 

 

DREDGING in Christchurch Harbour, dogged by delay and controversy for more than a year, has finally begun.

 

An excavator mounted on a 60-tonne pontoon brought in from Southampton Water has taken up station to dig more than 1,000 cubic metres of silt from the mid-harbour sandbar.

 

The work, scheduled to be completed by Christmas, subject to weather, has been commissioned by the Christchurch Harbour Association to deepen the navigable channel for the benefit of sailors.

 

But the dredging of the harbour bed and dumping of the spoil on nearby Stanpit Marsh has alarmed wildlife watchdogs, fishermen and local amenity groups whose objections have held up the scheme.

 

They fear that the sediment in the water will upset migratory fish species and the heavy plant used to spread the spoil on the Grimbury Beach shore of the marsh nature reserve will damage the fragile ecology of the site of special scientific interest.

 

But former Christchurch council coast protection engineer Frank Tyhurst, now engaged as technical advisor for the harbour association, said the sand imported from the harbour would help stem the erosion of the marsh fringes.

 

He said the operation had the backing of the Environment Agency and English Nature and the method and timing of the work had been chosen to avoid disturbing fish and other wildlife.

 

Harbour association chairman Charles Rossiter said: "We are delighted to actually make a start at last. Navigation in the harbour was becoming quite a trial."

 

"We are compelled to do the work in winter to minimise the effect on migrating fish so we are hoping the weather stays a bit kinder to us for a week or two."

 

The navigable channel will remain open to boats while the work is in progress but sailors are advised to watch out for the dredging rig and attendant barges and workboats.

 

Meanwhile, further dredging upstream on the River Stour near Tuckton Bridge is due to begin after Christmas.

 

First published: December 14, 2005

 

 

[DommyBoy]

Happy about this. Ive had enough of grounding out in the harbour and i reckon that this will help with the flounder/bass fishing aswell.

Looking forward to this being finished so i can go flattie bashin'.

 

 

Dom

[Paul J]

no mention of the entrance though, this is where the prop damage occurs most

[Coddy]

Where is the Mid Harbour sand bar?

 

I know the channel can be a bit narrow and shallow but never seen a sandbar on my sounder that I recall

 

Coddy

[Paul J]

Christchurch harbour guide

 

This describes it really well- go straight to the aeriel photo link

 

Paul J