Marine Aggregate Survey. Phase 1, Southern North Sea

Marine sand and gravel meet approximately 10-15% of the demand for aggregate in Englarrl and Wales, but in South East England the contribution is nearer 20%. It is declared government policy (DOE Circular 21/82) to encourage the use of marine aggregates wherever possible and in order to assist mineral planning by central and local government it is clear that information on offshore sand and gravel resources is required. A considerable amoont of information on the surface and sul:rsurface geology of the UK continental shelf is available within the British Geological Survey (BGS) and the Crown Estate Commissioners (CEC) have commissioned BGS to undertake a review of all available data on marine aggregate resources. '!his report gives the results of the data assessment of the Southern North Sea area which forms Phase 1 of the ~ research programme. The area covered in this report is from 51 o_53°N and covers UK waters east of 1°E. Further areas of the continental shelf off England and Wales are scheduled for appraisal in later stages of the programme. Phase 1 also forms an essential first stage in a more detailed resource assessment research programme to be funded by the Department of the Environment (DOE). This will aim to evaluate the origins, distribution and quality of marine aggregate resources in a trial area off the East Anglian coast.