New contractor sought for dredging in Peel

The government's looking for a contractor to carry out dredging in Peel.

The Department of Infrastructure says it's looking for qualified firms to carry out the work in the town's inner and outer harbours.

Expressions of interest have to be lodged by noon on Wednesday, January 11.

Previous work to dredge silt from the harbour floor led to an investigation by Tynwald's public accounts committee .

The committee opened its investigation last June after questions were raised about how the £285,000 contract for the work had been split into smaller amounts.

Silt contaminated with heavy metals had been taken to temporary storage sites in 2014 - but the department was found to have ignored accounting procedures when the contract was awarded.

The committee's report was highly critical of the DoI, saying the project had been "mishandled".

Residents were also angered when trucks carrying the silt spilled onto roads.