Alderney 'cut off' for the day by runway subsidence
Action must be taken before a severe air accident happens at Alderney Airport runway, Alderney politician Steve Roberts warned as the island’s runway was abruptly shut again yesterday morning due to subsidence.
UK specialists were consulted about the area, which has previously been patched, and it was patched again.
The concrete was left to cure overnight, and the runway should reopen this lunchtime. But more extensive work is still urgently needed.
Aurigny cancelled all its services yesterday and paused the sale of tickets.
The incident comes at an interesting time with plans going to the States of Guernsey for a £24m. expansion and improvements to the runway, as well as update the terminal and airport fire station. Alderney is expected to contribute, but Guernsey will be carrying the bulk of the costs.
Mr Roberts said the runway had been suffering repeated patching problems and he understood this latest problem was quite serious.
‘It’s been neglected for too long,’ he said.
‘It’s causing risk. There is an economic risk, as well the risk to life and limb. We can’t go on like this – it’s impossible.’
He said he was concerned there could be a serious air accident if a plane was to lose control due to a pothole and then the States of Guernsey would be liable for an accident.
He urged Guernsey politicians to back the controversial runway policy letter so that work could get under way as soon as possible.
The asphalt runway was last resurfaced in 1999, with a surfacing which has a design life of between 12 and 15 years. In recent years there has been extensive runway patching.
A States of Guernsey spokesman said the latest problem was found yesterday morning during a routine inspection.
A failure in the base material beneath the runway is believed to have caused the surface to subside.
Guernsey Ports, in consultation with its retained pavement specialists Amco Giffen, has agreed a short-term plan of works for local contractors to repair the defective area.
Travel options, including the Aurigny Dornier operating on a shorter runway, were explored but found to be impossible.
Amco Giffen is sending a team to Alderney at the earliest opportunity to carry out a more extensive repair.
Guernsey Ports contingency plan has been activated, and alternative transport arrangements were being progressed for any urgent requirements, using boat or helicopter.
Helicopter provision may take time to mobilise due to the current location of the aircraft, and current weather conditions are also unfavourable for sea transport.
Medevac operations will be performed by helicopter only in the interim.
Aurigny confirmed that it was informed of the problems yesterday morning.
All flights to and from Alderney were cancelled yesterday, and the airline’s customer services are working, in conjunction with Guernsey Ports, was looking at alternative travel options.
Aurigny has paused ticket sales on the Alderney routes.
‘Aurigny appreciate this unprecedented situation is far from ideal and upsetting to our customers travelling to and from Alderney, and we will continue working with and supporting Guernsey Ports in resolving the matter,’ a spokeswoman said.
