Wednesday 26 November 2014
Environment Department Response to Media Enquiry from BBC Radio Guernsey.
BBC Radio Guernsey Enquiry:
I was hoping I may be able to get confirmation about the work at the Belle Greve Sea Wall. Today we spotted diggers moving shingle from the beach but we couldn't tell what it was for. I have attached a picture to this email.
Conservationist Vic Froome says he believes it is to move the shingle to the bottom of the wall to create a slope, which would dissipate the strength of big waves against the wall and prevent damage during storms. He believes this is a very smart move, but would like to know that the area of beach where the shingle is being moved from on isn't being too disrupted by the work.
Would it be possible please to provide us with a couple of lines to confirm what the seabed is being moved for and whether checks have been done to check the work is safe for the environment?
Environment Department Response:
A small volume (10 dumper loads) of shingle has been relocated from a section of beach near to the slipway to the base of the new rock armour. It has been used to replenish existing beach shingle which was previously dragged away from the rock armour location at the start of the works to provide access to the construction area.
Using the existing shingle which has been displaced by recent tide movements is an economic and environmentally balanced solution to the replenishment of the works area. There is minimal disruption to the natural state of the beach in moving this volume of shingle.
Contact Information:
Environmental Services Unit
Environment Department
Tel: 717200
