PEMBROKE’S sea wall could be abandoned as part of a new coastal defence strategy. Environment is seeking public comments on a report by consultant Royal Haskoning that shows that the island’s sea defences are generally in a good condition.
But in the long term, major decisions are needed at the northern bay and whether or not to allow the L’Eree shingle bank to retreat inland.
The department held a public meeting yesterday evening outlining the report.
It is preparing a States report for debate in March.
‘Overall we are saying that Guernsey relies on its defences and by and large these are doing a good job,’ said Royal Haskoning principal engineer Greg Guthrie.
‘But what you have got to realise is that there is increasing pressure on them, not just from sea level rise, but generally in the way the coast responds.
‘The main thrust of what we’re saying is not that you have to do major realignment, but you have to look at the processes working, how we can shape the coast to create a softer response so that we haven’t got that hard line.’
In two areas the island was faced with hard decisions, he said.
The report says that at the shingle bank either a hard defence is put in or it is accepted that the shingle will move.
‘If that is a designated habitat, an important habitat, is that the way you are going to have to go? You need to start looking at the consequences now and start building that into planning processes rather than then suddenly being confronted with a situation in 20 years’ time.’
Pembroke Bay is heavily defended at the moment, partly by the German anti-tank wall.
Mr Guthrie said it was hardly surprising that was not working ideally.
It was a case of looking at what was at risk behind it and whether it was important to defend it.
‘You have to start thinking what do you want to achieve with this area. Let’s get the areas that are important stabilised, that gives you the opportunity of managing the coast to best deliver those areas,’ he added.
The consultants recommend detailed investigation into abandoning the anti-tank wall.
‘One of the things that we’d be looking in more detail is the extent erosion would actually affect things and also at the process.
He said that if the decision were taken to abandon the wall consideration would have to be given as to how that would affect the bay. Different options would have to be offered.
There were 58 people at the presentation, with fears raised about the state of the slipway at Cobo and the defences in front of the Peninsula Hotel.
Some praised the soft engineering approach taken by the consultants - something echoed by Environment minister David De Lisle.
He urged the public to get in touch with their thoughts on the report, whether on strategic issues or specific areas, during the consultation process that ends on 16 November.
* A summary of the report is available online at www.gov.gg. Hard copies can be viewed at the Guilles Alles Library or at Frossard House.
Article posted on 17th October, 2007 - 12.00am
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