Airport fund could be used to fix roads
PUBLIC Services is reviewing whether it will have to use the airport project's contingency reserve to repair roads used by its contractor.
This follows written questions from Deputy Lester Queripel about whether Lagan Construction's vehicles, used to transport 350,000 tonnes of aggregate from Longue Hougue to the airport, had caused exceptional damage to road surfaces and, if so, how that would be resolved.
In his written response, Public Services minister Paul Luxon said an increase in heavy vehicle traffic would inevitably accelerate road wear and tear.
'However, it would be difficult to attribute any wear and tear on roads to specific vehicles or the purpose for which they were being used.
'The airport project will have contributed to the general wear and tear but there were no exceptional patches where it could be said to be solely down to this project.
'Nevertheless, given the extent to which the contract movements will inevitably have contributed to this general deterioration, the department is currently considering whether there should be a contribution from the project budget for additional key route resurfacing.'
