Dredging technique trialled in two harbours

The dredging vessel Doonhammer will be in Bridport for about 10 days

A new method of dredging is being trialled in two harbours with the aim of reducing costs and the environmental impact.

Dorset Council is testing the Water Injection Dredging (WID) system at Lyme Regis and West Bay, which avoids the need to excavate and suction the seabed.

The technique uses low-pressure water jets to loosen sediment which is redistributed by the natural currents.

The dredging vessel, Doonhamer, will be in Bridport's inner and outer harbours for about 10 days before the trial continues in Lyme Regis.

The trial will inform Dorset Council's dredging licence application

Bridport and Lyme Regis harbours are investigating replacing its annual cutter suction dredging programme with the new system, which is hoped will save between £60,000 and £80,000 per dredge.

Work began in Bridport on Monday.

At Lyme Regis, up to 500sqm of sand will be moved from the summer pontoon area.

If the trial is successful, the council will apply for a marine licence to carry out a full dredge in 2026.

A council spokesperson said: "The first day's results at the Bridport inner harbour have been encouraging but we are monitoring the progress closely."