Clarence Battery steps repairs expected to come within budget

The steps between La Vallette bathing pools and the Battery reopened to the public earlier this month after four years following a landslip caused by heavy rainfall in 2020.

Environment & Infrastructure is responsible for coordinating the project.

President Lindsay de Sausmarez said it was expected that the project would be carried out within the £1.1m. budget allocated from the funds set aside for States property works, however it would be some time before final costings would be confirmed.

‘The project to stabilise the rockfaces for generations to come, plus the reinstatement of the steps between La Vallette and Clarence Battery, is expected to be carried out within the budget from the property capital allocation, which was in the region of £1.1m.,’ she said.

‘This will be confirmed once the 12-month retention period following completion of the works comes to an end, as is standard for works of this nature.

‘Although the major work is now complete and the area has been reopened, we are of course monitoring it and any remedial works will be carried out if and as necessary.’

Work at the site, which was undertaken by Environment & Infrastructure and contractor NSP Foundations, began in February this year.

It has included several site investigations, specialist geotechnical design works, and civil construction works in addition to more minor works.

Major work is now complete, however States infrastructure officer Marco Tersigni said last week that further enhancement and maintenance work was being considered after some islanders, including former deputy Mary Lowe, reported seeing damage on some of the steps.

Mr Tersigni confirmed that the damage was historic and on steps that were not new but had been re-used after officers deemed them to be in an ‘acceptable, weatherable, but serviceable condition.’