Large section of Fermain wall could be repointed
A LARGE section of Fermain seawall could be repointed, in a bid to protect it from future storm damage.
The States Property Unit has submitted a planning application for the work to the section of wall on the northern side of the bay.
A large section of the wall on the southern side of the east coast bay collapsed in 2014, and since then the sea has carved out soil from the soft cliff behind it.
Options for repairs are being investigated, but cost has been one of the reasons for the long delay.
Guernsey’s coastal defence strategy states it is important to undertake preventative maintenance to existing defences to prevent future issues.
This includes repointing of large sections of seawalls that are considered vulnerable to storm damage.
Fermain is the latest area identified as needing work and it is hoped it will be included in the 2023 re-pointing schedule.
‘While the wall is not considered to be in immediate risk of failure, it has been deemed appropriate for preventative maintenance to be undertaken to ensure that the condition of the wall does not deteriorate further, or that failures similar to that which occurred to the southern side of Fermain bay in 2014 are prevented from occurring,’ States Property Unit project engineer Alec Gibson said in the application.
‘Given the site’s status as a protected monument, this has been seen as giving further weight to this principle of maintenance to prevent further damage.’
If approved, the work will take place from the internal corner to the north of the slipway, extending around the projecting section of the north battery up to the end of the high section of walling.
The wall consists of random granite masonry, with minor patch repairs in concrete. The condition of the mortar varies.
It is proposed to repoint the seaside coping and landside face of the seawall with a cement-based mix. This would not be in keeping with the original construction of the wall, but it is consistent with existing pointing and standards for sea wall repointing island-wide.
Mr Gibson said this would ensure the longevity of the structure beside the sea.
n The plans can be viewed at gov.gg/liveplanningapplications .
