Wednesday 21 February 2024
Extensive works at La Vallette to stabilise the rock faces will begin at the end of February to allow access to Clarence Battery to be reinstated.
The work will involve a phased approach of securing the rock faces, securing the lower parts of the slopes, installation of a new set of steps which sit on the footprint of the previous steps and lastly securing the upper part of the slopes.
Due to the complexity of the project, the works are scheduled to be completed by the end of the summer. The plans have been discussed with relevant parties who use the area, and adjustments have been made wherever possible to accommodate their needs. Disruption has been kept to a minimum where possible.
To create space for the work to be carried out safely, the turning circle and the part of La Vallette closest to the turning circle will need to be closed. This will mean that parking in most of the diagonal spaces will be suspended for the duration of these works. However, to accommodate the loss of these spaces, further 10-hour spaces between Ladies' Pool and towards the Horseshoe swimming area will be changed to two-hour spaces.
Marco Tersigni, Infrastructure Officer, said:
"We're really pleased to have everything lined up and ready to go on this important project which will secure the rockface in this area for the long-term and, at the end of this challenging project, as the cherry on the cake, we can restore the steps.
"Inevitably there will be some disruption to parking arrangements while these improvements take place, but we've tried to go out of our way to engage with those who use the area, to try limit disruption. As far as possible, we've reduced the size of the contractor's compound so that we can retain as many parking spaces as possible. While we would have wanted to complete the works during the winter months to avoid these works being carried out during Guernsey's busiest months for tourists, we have been advised that, for health and safety reasons, the work should be undertaken in the drier months. We are grateful that this work has the support of Vive La Vallette and other local groups, and we'd like to thank everyone in advance for their patience while these improvements are carried out.
"Although there is a lot that needs to be done over the coming months, we're very much looking forward to securing the rockface in the area for the long-term and seeing a small link piece of our beautiful coastal cliff path restored."
David Warr, Chair of Vive La Vallette LBG, said:
"The Vive La Vallette team is delighted that work on restoring the Clarence Battery Steps is to begin shortly and are grateful to the States of Guernsey for their commitment to this project. Whilst there will inevitably be some short term disruption/inconvenience, whilst the work is undertaken, the medium to long term benefit of reinstating the steps is that once again they will provide access to the Clarence Battery and an important gateway to Fermain Bay and beyond, to the south coast cliffs. As part of our long term vision we have always been motivated to help enhance the broader La Vallette area and this project will be an important step towards that objective. The continuing enhancement to the area and facilities at La Vallette is an excellent example of how the private sector can work together with Government to preserve the Island's infrastructure for the benefit of our community."
