27. Alun Cairns (South Wales West): What analysis has she made on the information that has been made available to her in relation to sand dredging. (OAQ5562)

Sue Essex: Monitoring data is provided to the Assembly under conditions attached to licences to dredge sand from Welsh waters. This has been provided since 1998 in digital form, and before then in hard copy with accompanying illustrative material such as beach survey lines and photographs. The historic data is gradually being converted into an electronic form that will allow a more structured analysis of trends to take place; the data for the Helwick and Nash Banks is the priority. Data will also be available shortly from the Bristol Channel Aggregates Dredging Study which is nearing publication. Analysis of this data is in progress. It will be used, as appropriate, to inform Assembly policy development and decision-making in relation to aggregates dredging.

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