Forget extending the runway – fix the harbour

I HAVE to be honest, I have not had the chance to view the plans for the harbour developments so I will have to use my knowledge and the experience of 68 years. In my younger days, St Peter Port harbour was my playground, jumping from the upper walk onto the British Railway containers, going under the new jetty and even being able to walk (or drive) down to the signal station. My dad drove a Scammell Scarab for British Railways and I spent many a school holiday with him delivering to many long-gone institutions. On top of that I worked for W. R. Moitie at the castle emplacement and also for British Rail, so I know a bit about the harbour. What is indisputable is that the St Peter Port harbour is in a serious state of disrepair and as most of our freight comes in there, this has to be rectified as a matter of urgency. I am hearing amounts ranging from £30m. upwards, with some saying as much as £100m., depending on who you speak to. It is clear to me that we do not need an extended airport runway and spending money on that while the harbour is literally falling apart would be a grave folly. So, it is vital to get our harbour sorted. I would like to see the Barry Paint/Neil Inder requete of an extension to the east arm to accommodate larger ro-ro vessels. Yes, it will be very expensive, but such a great long-term investment for the island. If rock armoured like the QE2 marina it would be a breeding ground for sea life. We are constantly seeing our States being penny wise and pound foolish where sub-standard cost cutting in the end costs a lot more. As to the St Sampson’s development, can someone tell me how the heavy diesel oil would get to the power station? I believe it is a very thick, almost treacle-like product which has to be heated up to pump it up the North Side. So, how exactly do we get this product from Spur Point to the power station? How do C.I. Fuels get their products from Spur Point to North Side? This folly would only remove the lo-lo ships from St Peter Port, so we will still see very large Ferryspeed trucks on the east coast. How will the Spur Point development affect the north of Herm, which is already eroding, possibly as a result of Longue Hougue?