Time to build a better future

There is one qualification, though. The projects undertaken must be of a type that will bring long-term economic benefits once completed, as well as giving a short-term boost to the construction industry and reducing unemployment during the build. FDR’s projects famously included the building of the Hoover Dam; that was massively expensive and gave thousands of unemployed Americans jobs and incomes, and since being completed has delivered almost cost-free electricity and irrigated a large part of the desert where food is now grown.

Capital spending on buildings that are pet projects of deputies, or offer a ‘sweetener’ to those pushing for them are out, so new offices for administrators, unnecessary and unpopular new schools and even new health facilities, however sorely needed, cannot be included.

Which projects do qualify, then? Two fairly obvious ones are extending the runway at the airport and providing a new quay and facilities for visiting cruise ships. The proposal that most clearly satisfies all the criteria is the Longport scheme to enclose Belgrave Bay and create ‘Venice-sur-Mer’ with space for waterside dwellings, a new hotel and prestige office space, and protect the vulnerable parts of the island from storm damage as sea levels rise, whilst also harnessing tidal energy to produce electricity and creating a sheltered environment to increase biodiversity.

The plans already put forward to regenerate La Vallette certainly qualify for inclusion, and I would like to give a plug for a project I have been suggesting for many years. That is to literally build on the enterprise of the Victorians by constructing pedestrian walkways above Castle Emplacement, South Esplanade, The Quay, North Plantation and North Beach.

All of these stand on land reclaimed from the sea in Victorian times. Putting a raised deck over the whole reclaimed area would create many extra parking spaces in St Peter Port, would greatly improve traffic flow through Town and would provide a substantial area where tourists, cruise ship passengers, local shoppers and workers could enjoy space to exercise or relax, where concerts and other entertainment and activities could be held, and which would enable people to move safely between the harbour and parking areas to the town centre.

All these projects would help to make Guernsey a vibrant and attractive location and would give a proper return on the money invested.

BARRIE PAIGE

GY6 8BP.