Guernsey Press

Repair work to west coast sea walls proves challenging

STONEMASONS are working hard to finish repairs to the west coast sea walls before the spring storms arrive.

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Alex Atkinson from DW Masons repairing the Vazon sea wall. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 22881782)

Two big projects got under way in June and were set to be completed at the start of next year.

An Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services spokesman said the work at Rocques Poisson at L’Eree was progressing well, with more than 70% of the works completed by the end of September.

‘The older section of wall from the apron northwards to the fishtail slipway is in poorer condition than the neighbouring section,’ he said.

‘It has required lengths of the coping to be reset with stainless steel ties in the joints, and the masons are filling small pockets behind the face with concrete, as they are found between the larger stones.’

It is expected the work will be completed within the 28-week schedule.

‘Vaudin Stonemasons Ltd have also recently been asked to undertake some urgent works on the wall to the south of the current working area, near the battery, as part of this contract,’ the ACLMS spokesman said.

‘A programme for these works is awaited, however it is hoped that it will be completed before the spring storms.’

Work has also been taking place at Vazon.

‘[The works are] progressing at a steady pace and the masons are continuing to work on the wall, which has thrown up many challenges,’ the spokesman said.

‘The road side of the wall, along the promenade, is nearly completed and good progress is being made on the roadside adjacent to the car park.’

The seaward face is nearing 60% completion. The hearting of the wall is in very poor condition, with sections needing rebuilding as the work progresses.

‘We are hopeful that, despite the additional complexity this wall has presented, through the hard work of the contractor the works will be completed overall within the programmed time.’

That would mean the work would be finished in January.