Improvements in pipeline for Town's harbour

ST PETER PORT Harbour is in line for major developments.

Harbour master Captain Peter Gill said plans for essential new cranes were coming along well.

He would also like to see more pontoons and facilities to accommodate cruise liner passengers in place before the next season.

'These are big steps forward for everybody,' he said. Replacing the five existing cranes with two new ones was approved by the States in August and now the detailed plan is with Public Services for approval.

'The cranes are essential. A third of everything that comes into the island does so by ship and a great deal needs to be lifted.'

Installing the cranes will involve structural work to the pier on which they stand, he said.

'The cranes on berths four, five and six are old, well past their sell-by date. We don't know how long we can keep them functioning so we need a plan to replace them, but the replacements are heavy and we must make sure the jetty is fit for purpose.'

He said the cranes would cost something in the order of £10m.