Monday 21 May 2012
Preliminary works have begun at North Beach (Monday 21 May) in preparation for a temporary freight storage compound to be set up from this summer.
The work is part of the £13.75 million refurbishment of freight-handling facilities at St Peter Port Harbour. The project involves extensive repairs to the berths where goods are loaded and unloaded from vessels, so large areas will no longer be available for storing in transit containers.
A temporary compound is therefore going to be set up at the eastern end of North Beach, and temporary traffic arrangements introduced. These will be in place once the second phase of the refurbishment project begins, which is expected to be in July. However preliminary works are required before then.
Contractors have begun removing sections of the walls either side of the car park. These will eventually form the entrance and exit for a temporary access road across North Beach for traffic heading to the White Rock Pier, car ferry check-in, or New Jetty.
Some parking will be suspended while these preliminary works are carried out.
The stone removed will be stored and at the end of the project the walls will be reinstated and the car parking and access arrangements returned to normal.
For logistical reasons, the temporary compound has to be near to where freight-carrying vessels are loaded and unloaded. The use of North Beach will mean the loss of around 200 long-term spaces there, but Public Services plans to replace the majority these by reallocating other areas around the harbour for use as public parking.
These include the East Arm, adjacent to North Beach, and some of the Castle Emplacement.
Public Services Minister, Deputy Paul Luxon, said existing services had to be maintained while the refurbishment is carried out, and the Department had consulted with harbour users and other groups to on how best to achieve this.
The new parking arrangements are currently being finalised with the Environment Department.
Deputy Luxon said:
"We have had a constructive dialogue, and I think everyone acknowledges we have to do this work and there is a willingness to work together to minimise any potential disruption".
"The fact is we all rely on goods that come through the harbour, which include food, clothing, and many other essential items. We have to ensure we maintain the current services, and manage that as best we can".
Contact information:
Jim Anderson - Projects Liaison Officer, Public Services Department
Tel: 01481 234692
Mob: 07781 108325
Email: Jim.Anderson@gov.gg
