Written question asked by Bob Spink (Independent (affiliation)) on Monday, 14 December 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 16 December 2009. It was answered by Paul Clark (Labour) on Tuesday, 5 January 2010 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Thames Estuary

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what progress has been made on the dredge in the Thames estuary for the London Gateway Port channel; what safeguards against disturbances of munitions in the SS Richard Montgomery have been put in place; what recent discussions have been held with Dubai World Ports on the financing of the work; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Progress with the dredge of the London Gateway Port channel is a matter for the port developer, London Gateway Port Ltd., subject to the relevant statutory consents.Standard dredging practice in the Thames estuary covers matters such as handling the incidental lifting of munitions left on the sea bed. I am advised that magnetometer surveys have been conducted in order to provide the best advance information. The exclusion zone for the wreck of the SS Richard Montgomery lies over 2 km from the southern edge of the proposed port access channel.Financing of the work is also a matter for the port developer.

Secondary information