Ro-ro ramp could be part of Alderney harbour review
ALDERNEY might consider roll-on/roll-off facilities when the General Services Committee looks at a harbour review plan next year.
That the idea was an option was mentioned by GSC chairman Graham McKinley in its annual report to the States, published this month.
Mr McKinley told members that the work suggested by the review: ‘may include resurfacing and fencing of the crusher and Glacis sites and possible relocation of the States Works Department and the recycling area’.
‘Perhaps we should also consider a roll-on/roll-off facility.’
Mr McKinley’s report summed up major projects – those costing more than £150,000 – undertaken in the island this year, such as phase one of the work on the Connaught Care Home.
While this was largely interior work, phase two was on the sub-structure for a new extension and should be completed by Easter.
Phase three of the work, the extension itself, is set to start after Easter and is estimated to cost £1.29m.
A replacement for the harbour crane is due to delivered at the end of December at a cost of £850,000, and Mr McKinley said that the committee was waiting for confirmation of progress from the manufacturer.
There were technical problems with the existing crane in October, and Mr McKinley said that as a lesson from this experience, a maintenance and emergency contract should be considered with a relevant company in Jersey or Guernsey ideally.
‘We should also consider how best to protect the crane from the weather and sea air when not in use. Should we construct a large shelter and, if so, where?’
He also reported that the RNLI has confirmed the restructure of the harbour pontoon was still a priority and it had appointed Wallace and Stone to undertake the concept design work.
Concern over children being injured while climbing a damaged crane at Mannez Quarry had led to its owners, the States of Guernsey, saying they wished to see it removed. Guernsey had said it was unable to accept responsibility for injuries and Mr McKinley agreed that it should be taken away.
Planned work on Fort Doyle had not started and he said that the committee needed to re-engage with interested contractors for surface and sewage water data studies and analysis to be undertaken.
GSC supported plans from the Alderney Society to make the fort into a public heritage attraction, similar to The Nunnery.
The island’s swimming pool was another project where he said some progress was needed, and suggested that the island might look to Guernsey for some help.
‘With a new government in Guernsey, some of whom are clearly supporters of Alderney, is it not a good opportunity for us to once again seek financial support?’
