Dredged material will create Tyne Dock development

Planning permission to create the land was given by South Tyneside Council following approval from Natural England, the Marine & Fisheries Agency and the Environment Agency, to pump spoil direct from the trench that is to be dredged for the new tunnel, into Tyne Dock.

Dredging will start at the end of September when a cutter suction dredger will be used, which is not only quicker but will release minimal levels of sediment into the river. Pumping spoil directly into the Tyne Dock will benefit the environment and the local communities by avoiding the need to dispose of material at sea, reducing the period of disturbance of the river and save about 4,600 lorry movements transporting material to landfill.

The port was approached last year by Bouygues Travaux Publics, the project contractors, who explained the plan to dredge the Tyne as part of the construction process.