Council president Peter Blake fears La Fontenelle Bay footpath near Beaucette Marina is in ‘danger of being washed away in the next set of gales and a high tide.’
He has asked Environment & Infrastructure for input and remediation.
‘The path is very well used and walkers have suggested to the Vale Douzaine that some beach re-profiling, as has been carried out elsewhere, including opposite the Houmet Tavern and at Bordeaux, could prevent it from being washed away in the next storm,’ said Mr Blake in an open letter.
‘Pictures supplied to the council show that a shingle bank has moved to the north and part of the path is now very exposed towave action.’
The situation of the path has been on the council’s and the States’ radar for a couple of years, but the situation has deteriorated.
Agriculture, Countryside & Land Management Services said it inspects coastal areas around the island regularly, and vowed to undertake additional inspections around La Fontenelle.
‘It is acknowledged that the weather trend for more stormy north-easterly winds and high spring tides are taking a toll on several areas of the coast around the common. La Fontenelle footpath is a good example of this and has been the subject of previous open and detailed discussions with the Vale Commons Council,’ ACLMS said in a statement.
‘A short-term solution to defending this path from further erosion would be to install gabion baskets and rock armour. However, this is not considered a sustainable option due to rising sea levels and the increased frequency of severe storms due to climate change.
‘In addition, to defend the whole of the vulnerable section of land with rock armour would be very costly, potentially six figures, and cause significant damage to the common as a result of the machinery and equipment needed to place the boulders.’
In addition to initial installation, ACLMS said rock armour would require ongoing, damaging maintenance each time the boulders were displaced by rough seas.
It is instead proposing that a new footpath could be installed over adjacent land at a higher level, a solution which would offer best value for money.
It plans to continues talks with the council and hopes to agree a way forward soon.
Mr Blake said the council would consider the matter at its next meeting in a couple of weeks. But the States had offered a similar approach two years ago, and the land it has in mind is privately-owned, and outside of the council’s control.
You need to be logged in to comment.