Repairing Castle bridge would cost more than replacing it, says STSB
Repairing the Castle Cornet bridge would cost between £3m. and £4m. more than replacing it, according to the States Trading Supervisory Board.
Replacement is the STSB’s choice of six possible options and this is estimated to cost between £6m. and £7m. Long-term repairs could cost between £10.5m. and £11.5m.
Guernsey Ports managing director Colin Le Ray said the construction would probably be modular, with the elements craned into place from the land rather than using a barge in the harbour.
Tenders will be invited next year and he said that UK company McFarland Consulting, which has carried out regular inspections over the years, knew of a couple of specialist companies that could put in bids.
But local firms could also put in a bid and he thought there were some that would be interested.
‘We’ll try to get a local contractor if we can.’
There is a flat in the castle, which has tenants, and Mr Le Ray said that pedestrian access would be maintained throughout the work
Funding has already been approved as part of the Funding and Investment Plan, said STSB president Peter Roffey.
‘It’s in there at between £5m. and £10m. and we hope to come well within that range,’ he said.
The bridge was built in the 1950s and Deputy Roffey said that the replacement will be constructed with at least a 50-year lifespan but he hoped it would be much longer.
While a like-for-like replacement was one option considered, the preferred choice includes this plus some design enhancements, such as better lighting, seating and a design that might enable a lower profile bridge.
‘The project team has adopted a realistic but conservative approach in this respect, and there is scope for some innovation on the part of a contractor,’ said STSB’s report.
Vehicles up to 36 tonnes gross weight will be able to use the new bridge and Deputy Roffey said that it was important to retain vehicular access.
‘It’s incredibly useful for the castle, to be able to get things in there.’
