Airport tower condition putting ‘lives at risk’, says Alderney states member

A structural engineer is due to visit the site this afternoon to carry out an assessment, the States’ Trading Supervisory Board said.

Passengers landing at the airport were unable to use the normal arrivals entrance on Wednesday night, Mr Roberts said, and were instead routed through the portable building that was used during the pandemic.

The tower is positioned between the terminal and fire station. Flights continued to operate, despite the damage.

Mr Roberts, also an Alderney representative in the States of Guernsey, said that this was the latest symptom of the neglect from which the airport was suffering.

‘We’ve got issues with the runway, which is dangerous, with our air service which is practically on its knees with getting medical passengers away, and now we’ve got the tower falling down,’ he said.

‘It’s all due to neglect.

‘Lives are at risk here. If rust and stuff are falling down this is an accident waiting to happen.

‘If the tower falls on the airport there would be a major incident. I think Guernsey is at risk of litigation.’

He said he wanted something done immediately to fix the issues.

Mr Roberts also wondered what the Civil Aviation Authority would make of what was happening.

‘These problems with the tower will highlight to the CAA just what is going on,’ he said.

‘How much longer are Policy & Resources and the STSB going to turn a blind eye to Alderney taxpayers?’

Under the 1948 agreement Guernsey is responsible for the Alderney airport.

While all parties agree work is needed, there has been friction about exactly what needs to happen next.

And after runway extension costs spiralled from £24m. to £37m. there was increased concern from Guernsey politicians.

However that project, which included a new terminal building and fire station, excluded the air traffic control tower, which would have been retained.