The removal of the shrubs and trees, which can be seen in pictures from as far back as 2014, running alongside the steps that go up to the Cow’s Horn, has been questioned by islanders as a factor in the landslide. However, this has been dismissed by experts, who have said the recent heavy rain and storms have simply been too much for the ground in the area.
Some suspected volunteer group La Vallette Challenge to have been involved due to a clear-up of the area back in 2015, although they have confirmed they were not involved in removing the trees in this area.
‘We did not remove any trees near the Cow’s Horn,’ a spokesman said.
‘Our job was to clean up around the steps and the La Vallette area, but we did not take any trees down.
'It’s very sad that this has happened and we hope this can be restored in future.’
Nobody has so far taken responsibility for the trees’ removal.
St Peter Port senior constable Dennis Le Moignan said whether the trees had been there or not, the damage would have always occurred.
‘There have been landslides all over the island lately,’ he said.
‘There’s been lots of rain and the ground can only take so much.
'Once it gets too heavy it will slide.’
However, he did raise the issue of drainage at the site and wondered whether drains had been properly cleared and checked in advance of the heavy rainfall to limit the risk of collapse.
States Works has been contacted for comment.
Mr Le Moignan said that he hoped to see the area restored.
‘During the summer months especially this area and the steps are used a lot,’ he said.
‘It’d be nice to get onto repairing this as soon as possible, perhaps when it’s safer, but as soon as it can be done as it is an area a lot of people frequent.’
Property Services said heavy rainfall over the last few months had left soft cliffs and roadside earth banks all around the island vulnerable to subsidence and walkers in this area are now asked to take the cliff path between Clarence Battery, Belvedere and Le Val des Terres while the steps are closed.
Andy McCutcheon, principal Environment Services officer, said: ‘I would strongly caution against drawing conclusions based on the removal of trees.
‘Weather conditions will have been a major factor here given that, immediately preceding the slippage, two weeks rainfall fell in 12 hours on top of already saturated soil.
‘Based on experience, my professional opinion is I do not believe the removal of trees contributed materially to the instability of the slope on which they stood. If anything, the risk of slippage may have been mitigated by their removal because the bending movement of a tree in wind, as translated to the root system, would have been reduced.
‘Once the weather improves and site conditions become drier we will consult with specialist engineers who will help determine the best course of action.’
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