Liverpool Marina is located within Liverpool Docks, adjacent to the River Mersey, and less than half a mile walk from the city centre. Navigation to and from the marina is adversely affected by sedimentation that occurs when sediment from the River Mersey is transferred and deposited into the enclosed dock system. In the past, sedimentation has been addressed by either ploughing the sediment level over the general marina area, using a small suction pump on a pontoon and a pipeline to transfer the sediment to an area within the dock system that is not currently in use and has capacity to receive it or placing the material in bags for dewatering and landfill. However, none of these practices were deemed sustainable in the long term and, therefore, Liverpool Marina (the marina operator) required a more pragmatic solution to provide the necessary water levels for the marina.
To alter this the Marina sought to return the material to the River Mersey and sought a suitable marine license from the MMO. The application, managed by Anthony D Bates Partnership, consisted of:
- Sediment Testing;
- Water Framework Directive Compliance Assessment Report;
- Waste Framework Directive Assessment Report including a Assessment of potential beneficial use;
- Habitats Regulations – Screening Assessment Report; and
- Biosecurity Risk Assessment.
Maintenance dredging will be undertaken using a small hydraulic dredger (e.g. a cutter suction dredger). The dredger will pump the dredged material along a pipeline that will be lain across Brunswick Dock, the adjacent quayside and into the River Mersey’s designed placement location.
The proposed activity is planned to occur annually for ten years between October and March so that the desired water levels in the marina will be achieved in advance of the principal recreational boating season that begins in spring.