After previous dreams of a runway extension and airport rebuild were scuppered on receipt of a £37m. tender for what should have been a £24m. project, the States of both islands have worked up new ‘do minimum’ plan that must not cost any more than the budgeted £24m. allocated by Guernsey.
The process will need to move rapidly too. The States wants to go out to tender this spring and be ready to start work in April 2027, with construction work finished by the end of that year. If not achieved, the project might be delayed by 12 months.
‘This project is vital to maintaining Alderney’s connectivity for the benefit of the island’s community and meeting the States of Guernsey’s obligations under the 1948 Agreement,’ said Policy & Resources Committee president Lindsay de Sausmarez.
‘The approach we’re recommending aims to deliver a compliant, practical and proportionate solution within the current fiscal constraints.’
Policy & Resources is seeking to secure delegated authority from its political colleagues to sign off on the spending of the £24m. budget, which should keep the project moving along more quickly than if States debates were needed on the way.
‘Delegated authority to approve the business case and early contractor engagement will be key to the most timely and cost-effective delivery,’ said Deputy de Sausmarez.
‘We’re working to a tight timeline, with construction scheduled to start in April 2027 and complete by that December. This is lifeline infrastructure for the community in Alderney, and we’re committed to bringing it in as efficiently as we can, as well as at the lowest possible cost.
‘That may mean some disruption for residents in Alderney during the construction process, but any delay risks pushing the project into 2028.
‘That would increase the likelihood of prolonged runway closure which would bring with it more disruption overall, as well as additional expenditure, which is why we are aiming to rehabilitate the runway as soon as practically possible.’
Design work is under way with a view to appointing a contractor this year. The tendering process will begin once deputies have signed off on the delegated authority for the project. The States hopes that working with a contractor at an early stage could reduce the cost of the final design and development.
The proposed scheme will reconstruct the asphalt runway, keeping the current length of 877 metres but widening it from 18 to 23 metres to meet minimum aerodrome design standards. One of the two grass runways used by private pilots is likely to close to enable reprofiling of the main runway.
Alderney is being warned that the airport might need to close for an extended period to get the work done as quickly as possible, and other travel options are being worked up.
Alderney States, which once backed the so-called C+ option that proved too expensive, has welcomed the progress so far on what it said was an essential project.
‘We look forward to working closely with Guernsey’s Policy & Resources Committee and the States Trading Supervisory Board to ensure best value is achieved and the project is delivered as soon as practicable,’ said Policy & Resources Committee president Bill Abel.
‘This engagement will also focus on minimising the impact of closures and evaluate viable options to minimise the risk of closure of the grass runways, taking into consideration overall benefits to the island.’
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