Belgian coast to get artificial island?

[LittleSister]

The Belgians are considering embellishing their not terribly exciting coastline with a new, artificial island.

(On top of a toxic weapons dump! )

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...ild-island-over-abandoned-poison-gas-grenades

The location mentioned, Paardenmarkt sandbank, is about 4 nm ENE of the entrance to Zeebrugge.

Slartibartfast rules!

 

[westhinder]

A couple of factual corrections to the Guardian article, which is otherwise pretty good: only a part of the ammunition from WW I is chemical, the rest is conventional. And it is not only WW I, also after WW II was the Paardenmarkt used to dump surplus ammunition. It was not forgotten about either, both officials and people in the region have always known what lurks under the water.
Anyone who has sailed to Zeebrugge will have seen the dredger which is constantly working in the harbour and the approach channel. When it is full, it goes and dumps its load on the Paardenmarkt, ensuring that the sandbank does not shrink. What’s more, since the expansion of the harbour, the NE corner where the pier meets the shore, has silted up considerably, creating a bay which has become a nature reserve.
It is far from certain that the proposed island on the Paardenmarkt will be built. There is heavy resistance to the idea from local politicians, not least the mayor of Knokke-Heist, who sees it as a threat to his upmarket seaside town. I’m not holding my breath.

 

[LittleSister]

Thanks for the additional information. It puts it more into context.

 

[johnalison]

This site has a chartlet, for those who, like me, can't quite remember where the bank is.

https://www.peacepalacelibrary.nl/2015/05/paardenmarkt-a-toxic-legacy-of-the-great-war/

 

[LittleSister]

I’m not holding my breath.

You should if that mustard gas starts leaking!