Wednesday 25 March 2015
The Environment Department can report that the recent inspection of the condition of the cliffs at Petit Port has been completed by the geo-technical engineers. Works by Geomarine to descale the cliffs either side of the steps of loose stone has also been completed.
Geomarine are now starting work to repair the two rock catch fences which were damaged during the storms in early 2014 and they will also be repairing the undermined steps onto the beach. These scheduled works had been programmed to allow the steps to be opened to the public before the Easter holiday, however the geo-technical inspection has highlighted a new area of cliff where works are required to reduce the risk to people using the steps. A further rock catch fence must be installed to help prevent granite from the cliff from falling onto the steps. The geo-technical engineer identified three adjacent sections of rock, each approximately half a metre across and described by the engineer as 'insecure'.
Deputy Yvonne Burford, Environment Minister, said:
"The news that the inspection of the cliff face has identified further areas of risk is of course unwelcome but we cannot say it was a surprise to the Department. Over the last ten years of annual inspections there have only been two years when such problems have not come to light.
We're advised in this case that if one of these three rocks falls then the section will be destabilised, making it highly likely that the other two will come down. If the steps are to be opened then it is right that the public must be properly protected from injury but this comes at a high price. The 2015 costs to mitigate these known risks are running at over £28,000 with this new work. We will now be seeking further discussions with the Parish of St Martin and also with other States Departments to see how Petit Port should be managed for the future as the Department cannot continue to fund this level of expenditure for access to a single beach at the expense of other important public recreation areas."
The specialist material for the new rock catch fence has been ordered and will be on island shortly before Easter. Geomarine will return to the site on Tuesday 7th April and if the installation goes to plan the steps should be re-opened to the public the following week.
-ENDS-
