Alderney’s runway is in a poor state, but due to delays in getting work started costs have ballooned beyond what was originally expected, putting the project in jeopardy.
Alex Snowdon and Edward Hill have said they are worried that runway work could be pushed back to 2028 by the establishment of the commission, which will look at the relationship between Guernsey and Alderney.
‘Despite the twice-yearly significant patching and repair work undertaken by specialist contractors in recent years, Alderney Airport now faces a very high risk in the near future that it will not meet the necessary licensing conditions – primarily relating to safety factors – resulting at best in the introduction of more stringent and restrictive operating limitations, or perhaps more realistically a long term closure of the airstrip,’ they said in explaining approach.
‘We cannot stress enough that any long term closure of Alderney Airport would rapidly lead to a serious tailspin of both Alderney’s social and economic well-being – neither of which would be acceptable to the States.’
They have called for the States of Guernsey to honour its previous commitments to resolve the rehabilitation of the island’s airport infrastructure, before embarking on a wider review of the relationship between the two islands.
‘This amendment has the effect of keeping the Bailiwick Commission as the priority, however, provides the flexibility to avoid risk of closure and serviceability of the runway by continuing the works relating to the delivery of a solution to it,’ they said.
‘The solution for the runway should not be consequential to the timelines or the findings of the Bailiwick Commission.’
The amendments also seek to keep the States of Alderney as a stakeholder, with a potential capital contribution, and not just a consulting stakeholder.
‘This will provide for greater operational and financial efficiencies, especially in the reduction of potential mobilisation costs achieved by working together,’ they said.
It also calls for a solution to be delivered to the States of Deliberation by December 2025.
Alderney’s Policy & Finance chairman Bill Abel has said there needs to be clarification about how the runway project and commission would affect each other.
‘Any further delay to the runway rehabilitation means there is an increased risk of airport closures,’ he said.
‘This could not only limit the essential services the island needs to survive, but also the long-term sustainability of Alderney’s, and thus the Bailiwick’s economy.
‘We are therefore seeking a solution to this as soon as possible and the opportunity for Alderney to be a contributing stakeholder and not simply a consulted party.’
He added that the commission was a positive way forward and it was important it looked at the economic relationship, as well as the constitutional and working relationships.
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