St Sampson’s is a real gem – let’s really get it to sparkle

‘A Bridge to the Future’ was the title given to the session, which focused on infrastructure.

Hosted by past Chamber president Rupert Dorey, it saw a panel comprising Mr Kildahl, JT’s chief executive officer Daragh McDermott and CEO of Guernsey Electricity Alan Bates.

Mr Kildahl opened his short talk by asking how many people had driven across the Bridge in the past week – a large number of the audience, compared to how many had actually stopped there – very few, and how many had eaten there – six.

He had calculated there was 11,400 square metres of dry land around the harbour occupied by boats: ‘Do we think that’s a good use of some prime land, which has beautiful views over the islands?’ – only a few people put their hands up.

The agency was looking at what could be done to enhance and regenerate the Bridge.

For instance, the 11,440sq. m of boats could be put on dry racks at Longue Hougue and with the need for light industry he suggested maybe 20 1,000-2,000sq. ft sheds with a mezzanine office could be created.

‘Why can’t we have some restaurants, cafes, bars – people can sit out, they can walk around the waterway and enjoy it?’

He referred to boat mechanics being educated by the Guernsey Institute, College of Further Education having to complete their education in Bournemouth to train but thought it could be possible to host a marine engineering course at the Bridge and encourage people from Bournemouth or France to come here to learn.

He did not think anybody enjoyed the ‘slow travel through the Bridge’: ‘Why don’t we put a bridge across from the south side to the north?’

This could go past the clock tower in the south: ‘We’re not suggesting we should stop traffic going to the Bridge, people need to go there to shop... but we can do a lot to make it a lot better place. Maybe make a cul de sac.’

Mr Kildahl also mentioned how housing could be provided, particularly for older people looking to downsize, and referenced how space could be freed up at the power station site once a second cable link with France is installed: ‘Why don’t we use some of that to build residential?

‘Why don’t we have three-sided Georgian squares? Open to the water, so that people can see the water.

‘St Sampson’s is a real gem. Together – and it is a community effort that’s needed here – we can give it a little clean and really get it to start to sparkle.’

• The event was sponsored by the Little Green Energy Company.