Scaffolding started going up in April 2024 and was completed at Christmas, and nobody seems to know when it might be coming down.
T&G Structural Engineers has now been appointed to undertake a full engineering survey, but it will then take time to fix any issues found.
Details about the scaffolding were revealed in response to a freedom of information request.
‘The scaffolding provides a layer of protection to the current structure, ensuring that any disruption to airport operations is minimised, and it will need to remain in place until we can deliver a long-term solution,’ said a spokesman for the States Trading Supervisory Board.
A comprehensive engineering survey has now been completed, and the results will be used to identify options for long-term repair.
‘The installation, maintenance and dismantling of the scaffolding, the engineering survey, and the ongoing project management are collectively budgeted to cost up to £300,000,’ the spokesman said.
‘The timescale for completion depends on the extent of the necessary repairs and the availability of funding, which will need to be prioritised alongside other critical infrastructure maintenance across Guernsey Ports.’
The installation follows a long-running problem with the building’s roof.
It is not the only STSB building shrouded in scaffolding indefinitely. It has also been in place around a section of the former slaughterhouse site since the summer of 2024. The scaffold canopy encloses the eastern side of the building, which contains multiple rental units managed by Guernsey Ports.
The building dates back to 1887. The FoI stated that while the western section, which now houses a restaurant, was substantially redeveloped in 2017, the eastern section was not redeveloped at the same time, and the roof was now in a dilapidated condition.
As the building is protected, a heritage survey is being undertaken to inform future options for the site.
‘The scaffold canopy is providing essential protection for current tenants by preventing further water ingress. Some £65,000 has been budgeted between 2024 and 2026 to cover the installation of this scaffolding, its continued use and inspection, and internal project management during that time frame,’ said an STSB spokesman.
He added that the scaffolding canopy was the most cost-effective way to protect the building, while a viable future solution is identified.
‘The government’s continued structural deficit and the fact that the ports have a substantial list of repairs, which we already cannot afford to fund, means that the timescale for completion of any necessary repairs remains uncertain.’
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