Why not install a ro-ro ramp in Alderney to service a fast ferry?
AS AN islander of a very old Guernsey family, I feel that as an island resident we backed the right ferry company.
Jersey has shown their true colours and just what they are made of. They would sell us down the road without a second thought. I felt it shows us all just what they think of Guernsey – nothing. I do not think that we, as an island, could work with them again, once you have your fingers burnt you do not do it again. I hope that seeing these results that we do not do the same thing to our sister island Alderney, who unfortunately, due to their smaller size, needs our undivided support to bring them under our wing and fully support them. I know it maybe a financial burden to our stretched resources, but we have a responsibility to balance equality/support across our islands. It also puts into the picture Aurigny to help give them a uniform island structure to supply a service using one aircraft which fulfils all our needs at the best service cost per person per mile. An idea – as an alternative we could install a ro-ro ramp in Alderney to service a fast ferry twice a week round service between Cherbourg, Alderney to Guernsey and twice a week Guernsey via Alderney to Poole – note Cherbourg has other connections.
Looking at the 2025 booking costs of travel between UK to Guernsey, Jersey, Ireland, Isle of Man and France to Jersey, Guernsey and Ireland. Guernsey has the lowest service cost per mile, car and two passengers.
We need to revamp our services to bring us up to date. Aurigny is looking in the right direction. There are ATRs now flying with electric prop engines, we just need the island infrastructure to support their development, like improving Alderney’s runway. Our ports also need to redevelop to support the new services which are coming. We need to look at where we can spend money to achieve the necessary upgrading remodelling of our sea ports to accommodate/handle these new larger ships so we can take part in the UK - Ireland - Guernsey - France, Channel transport network.
Brittany Ferries has just brought in to service their first state-of-the-art new ‘green ferry’.
The German government has been pushing their large engine manufacturers’ development departments to push forward with new technology for German trucks and farm machinery. They are also looking at ways of developing a marine engine to run on salt water.
TONY CORBIN