Dredging Discussions

Huw Irranca-Davies, DEFRA Minister for the Natural and Marine Environment, Wildlife and Rural Affairs, recently met with senior marine aggregates industry officials to discuss government proposals for marine policy, planning and management.

The newly appointed Minster, accompanied by a number of senior DEFRA officials, spent nearly 2h touring CEMEX UK Marine’s 8,500-tonne capacity Sand Falcon as she unloaded sand and gravel at Angerstein Wharf on the river Thames in Greenwich.

The visit provided current BMAPA chairman John Miller (CEMEX UK Marine), and previous chairman Kevin Seaman (United Marine Dredging), with the chance to highlight the importance of marine aggregates as a part of national aggregate supply. Also stressed was the need for the new Marine Bill to deliver certainty to marine industries, alongside the envisaged improvements in environmental protection.