Northern Ireland

Dredgers begin removing thousands of tonnes of silt from River Lagan to protect `water quality and unique eco-system'

A Major project to dredge the River Lagan underway - Thousands of tonnes of silt that currently lies on the bed of the River Lagan will be dredged in a major project to maintain and enhance the river's water quality and unique eco-system. The £3.3m investment by the Department for Communities, which manages the River Lagan, will see the river being dredged for the first time since 2011. Picture by Mal McCann.
A Major project to dredge the River Lagan underway - Thousands of tonnes of silt that currently lies on the bed of the River Lagan will be dredged in a major project to maintain and enhance the river's water quality and unique eco-system. The £3 A Major project to dredge the River Lagan underway - Thousands of tonnes of silt that currently lies on the bed of the River Lagan will be dredged in a major project to maintain and enhance the river's water quality and unique eco-system. The £3.3m investment by the Department for Communities, which manages the River Lagan, will see the river being dredged for the first time since 2011. Picture by Mal McCann.
By Bimpe Archer

THOUSANDS of tonnes of silt is being removed from the bed of the River Lagan in a bid to protect its water quality and "unique eco-system".

Dredgers have returned to the river for the first time since 2011 as part of the £3.3 million project which will see ABCO Marine Limited carry out phased work which will continue until March.

The Department for Communities, which manages the river, secured a marine licence from Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) to allow the work, with a further licence to allow the disposal of the material to an approved location at sea.

It will be closed to navigation for around six weeks for safety reasons, with sections from Stranmillis Weir to Lagan Weir returned to 'river users' for recreational use as they are completed.

Communities permanent secretary Tracy Meharg said it is "a significant strategic investment" which will "further strengthen the continued regeneration of Belfast".

A Major project to dredge the River Lagan is underway. Picture by Mal McCann.
A Major project to dredge the River Lagan is underway. Picture by Mal McCann. A Major project to dredge the River Lagan is underway. Picture by Mal McCann.

"The investment is essential in ensuring its future as an integral part of Belfast City Centre’s offering to residents, businesses and visitors alike.

"The River Lagan area is a key amenity in the City Centre and is extensively used for walking, cycling and rowing. Maintaining navigation along the River will allow its continued use as a recreational waterway and will help improve water quality."

According to river manager Peter Gallagher the silt is largely organic material and its removal will free the River Lagan's bespoke aeration system to function "more efficiently" and "improve the river corridor's ecology".

The work will also "reduce flooding risk by improving the drainage capacity of the river and the back drainage systems which flow into it".

A Major project to dredge the River Lagan underway - Thousands of tonnes of silt that currently lies on the bed of the River Lagan will be dredged in a major project to maintain and enhance the riverâ??s water quality and unique eco-system. The £3.3m investment by the Department for Communities, which manages the River Lagan, will see the river being dredged for the first time since 2011..Picture Mal McCann.
A Major project to dredge the River Lagan underway - Thousands of tonnes of silt that currently lies on the bed of the River Lagan will be dredged in a major project to maintain and enhance the riverâ??s water quality and unique eco-system. The &Aci A Major project to dredge the River Lagan underway - Thousands of tonnes of silt that currently lies on the bed of the River Lagan will be dredged in a major project to maintain and enhance the riverâ??s water quality and unique eco-system. The £3.3m investment by the Department for Communities, which manages the River Lagan, will see the river being dredged for the first time since 2011..Picture Mal McCann.