Dr Adrian Williams says Mersey Gateway Project will have limited impact on wildlife

May 28 2009 by Mark Smith, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

THE MERSEY Gateway Project is unlikely to have any serious impact on marine life, the inquiry has heard.

Speaking last Thursday, aquatic ecology consultant Dr Adrian Williams, who was commissioned by the Mersey Gateway team, said the effects of the project were likely to be ‘discreet’.

He recommended that measures be taken to reduce the effects of noise from construction work.

He also singled out the area as an important refuge for young commercially important fish and said the project was unlikely to hinder their migration patterns.

He said: “Aquatic species resident within the upper Mersey estuary are characterised by their robustness to changing environmental conditions over short timescales – and, moreover, the tolerance of many of the species to various pollutants.

“I consider that underwater noise caused by pile driving could potentially have a negative impact on the aquatic community, and appropriate mitigation measures for this impact are suggested.

“The disturbance of sediments, potential release of contaminants and the resulting potential impact on the aquatic flora and fauna within the estuary also has the potential to act negatively upon the aquatic ecology.

“However, I consider that with the appropriate implementation of dewatering, disposal and adherence to duty of care guidelines, in combination with monitoring during construction, such impacts will be minimised.

“Further monitoring should be conducted before, during and after construction.”