The Department for Social Development are responsible for the management and maintenance of the tidal river Lagan. DSD require river maintenance to be carried out on the River Lagan within the DSD’s designated area as delineated on the location plan, refer to the Appendix C in Part 3 - Appendices of this document.

The tidal river Lagan extends from Stranmillis Weir downstream for some 4.8 km to a line 5m on the seaward side of the cross harbour M3 Motorway Bridge at the interface with Belfast Harbour. Maintenance work could be required to be carried out at any location on the tidal river Lagan and its banks between Stranmillis Weir and the cross harbour Motorway Bridge.

There is a requirement for the hire of boats and equipment capable of carrying out work such as:

• A Multi-Cat type vessel capable of navigating the tidal river Lagan and with appropriate equipment including winches, crane, clam shell, cherry picker, chains, ropes and anchors, etc

• General purpose work boat suitable for use on the tidal river Lagan

• Uni-floats to form a stable floating platform for a crane, for support of a refuse skip, for other river based work, to facilitate diving inspections or for amenity use such as a floating stage.

The maintenance requirements on the tidal river Lagan may include, but are not limited to, the following activities:-

•Dredging to remove small quantities of material from the river bed that may cause obstruction to navigation

•Plough dredging

•Maintenance of the stone revetments and banks of the river

•Lifting and maintenance of the in river elements of the aeration system

•Maintaining and moving floating pontoons

•Power washing of quay walls

•Maintenance of grab chains on the quay walls and other safety devices

•Removal of large items of floating debris such as trees

•Provision of attendances to electrical contractors maintaining lights and control gear on the cross river road and rail bridges

Jan 01 1900

May 11 2010