Dorset Council has postponed a planned trial of an innovative dredging method, Water Injection Dredging (WiD), at two of its most cherished coastal towns—Bridport (West Bay) and Lyme Regis. The decision aims to prevent disruption during the peak summer holiday season, ensuring visitors and residents can enjoy the harbours without interruption.
The trial, initially scheduled for this year, was intended to introduce WiD, a sustainable and cost-efficient alternative to traditional dredging techniques. WiD works by injecting water into seabed sediment, fluidising it so currents can naturally transport the material to deeper areas. This approach significantly lowers environmental impact by minimizing disturbance to marine habitats and reduces operational costs by an estimated £60,000 to £80,000 per dredging event.
Although Dorset Council has been collaborating closely with Natural England—conducting thorough environmental assessments and surveys—final approval for the trial was not secured in time. Consequently, the council opted to delay the project until autumn, allowing the busy summer season to proceed without interference and enabling completion of other maintenance work such as harbour wall repairs.
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Councillor Jon Andrews, Dorset Council’s cabinet member for place services, emphasized the importance of patience and precision: “We’re committed to implementing innovative and environmentally responsible solutions for our harbours. Although the trial and associated maintenance have been delayed, this approach reflects our dedication to protecting local ecosystems, supporting community enjoyment, and maintaining safe, accessible harbours.”
In the meantime, harbour operations and beach access will remain unaffected. Both harbours are drying harbours, and sediment levels currently fall below the threshold requiring immediate dredging.
Dorset Council reaffirmed its commitment to completing the WiD trial responsibly and will continue to work with Natural England to guarantee the project’s success later this year.