Thursday 05 November 2020
Work has begun this week to carry out works on the most heavily undermined section of L'Ancresse anti-tank wall to reduce the risk of failure in the immediate future.
The works to address the areas in worst condition are in line with the requirements outlined in the Requête, agreed by the previous States earlier this year, to "provide the optimum chance of the wall remaining intact for the 10 year period".
Following the States of Deliberation's direction in response to this Requête, the Committee for theEnvironment & Infrastructure compiled a detailed plan for maintenance works to retain the wall for the next 10 years based on detailed engineering studies over the summer.
As the former Committee made clear during the debate, the Requête had miscalculated the number of panels which required work. As a result of that miscalculation, the cost of the works required to maintain the wall over the next 10 years are considerably in excess of the amount outlined in the Requête. Discussions will therefore continue to take place with the Policy & Resources Committee over how the work can be funded.
In the meantime, however, the most urgent works are being funded through the Committee for theEnvironment & Infrastructure's budget reprioritisation.
As part of the preparatory work this week, a section of earth bank will be removed by the Beach House car park to allow access via the path for vehicles and machinery. With the assistance of Environment Guernsey, this section of earth bank will be stored and replaced following completion of these works.
Early next week concrete will be poured into the voids that have formed as a result of constant undermining at panels 8 and 9 of the anti-tank wall, which has no foundations. Concrete will also be used to fill the gap that is forming between the wall and the apron along the adjacent panels, which is being similarly undermined.
As part of the reprioritisation of funds, the Committee will also look into the placement of rock armour around panels 8 and 9, similar to that placed around panels 4 and 5 previously, to provide additional protection to these sections of the anti-tank wall.
