A major rock slippage occurred on the narrow isthmus that connects Big Sark and Little Sark in January last year, and the current works are designed to reduce the risk of further rockfalls and ongoing erosion.
Chief Pleas said a significant programme of stabilisation to enhance the long-term safety and reliability of La Coupee was now under way.
‘In past centuries, it has been the practice to fix erosion and rockfalls at La Coupee as they happen,’ said Douzaine chairman Mike Locke.
‘We don’t want to do that these days and have instituted regular surveys of the geology of La Coupee. We carried out initial works to improve water run-off, reducing erosion, last year, and planned a future schedule of ongoing works and surveys.
‘This year’s major piece of work should ensure La Coupee is properly stabilised and safe both for the community who use it every day, and our visitors who come here to see one of the glorious views of Sark.’
The work is being carried out by Geomarine, which carried out emergency works in February 2025.
‘Our survey in 2024 meant we could mobilise the emergency works extremely quickly and re-open La Coupee within two weeks of the January 2025 incident,’ said Geomarine managing director Tom Whitmore.
‘For these planned works, we’ve had time to prioritise and organise preventative works in the areas where we could identify problems developing. La Coupee is a unique piece of geology in the Bailiwick and we are pleased to be able to help Sark maintain it.’
The Coupee will be closed every day between 6.30am to 6.30pm while the works are being carried out. They are expected to take three weeks to complete.
Access between Big and Little Sark during this period is only in scheduled half hour windows at 8am, 11.45am and 3.15pm.
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