Alderney’s relationship with Guernsey to be reviewed but runway left alone
A commission to examine the future relationship between Alderney and Guernsey could be set up this summer, after it was discovered a project to bring Alderney Airport up to even a minimum standard was now beyond the reach of the budget for the project.
The runway is currently in a poor state, needing to be regularly inspected and closed for patching work.
But signing off the multi-million repair work has proved a challenge.
The States backed an option for an increased runway length, a new apron, new terminal and new fire station, with a budget up to £24m., in December 2022.
But the best tender for the work came in at £37m. Now it is said that a do-minimum option would cost between £25m. and £55m.
Policy & Resources felt it was impossible to justify investments of this scale.
‘We cannot ignore the challenging fiscal situation that the States of Guernsey finds itself in... the time has come for a radical reconsideration of this project,’ said Policy & Resources president Lyndon Trott.
' It is necessary to find a functional solution, that can achieve a reasonable level of connectivity for the Alderney community within the current financial limits of the States of Guernsey.’
He noted that over the decade of runway debate, the topic of the 1948 Agreement had been raised repeatedly.
‘It is clear to the Policy & Resources committee that there is a serious need for a constitutional committee, established collaboratively with the other islands, that can focus on reviewing the relationships within the Bailiwick and make recommendations for the parliaments of the islands to consider,’ he said.
The committee’s policy letter brings a proposal for a constitutional commission to look at the relationship between Guernsey and Alderney, and also between Guernsey and Sark.
Such a commission would be established this summer and expected to produce a final report by the end of 2026.
Alderney’s Policy & Finance chairman Bill Abel said the runway was work was of paramount importance to the island.
‘We look forward to engaging with the States of Guernsey on taking both of these matters forward,’ he said.
