THE cost of repairs to the airport runway could hinder the schools’ development programme, according to the Education minister. Deputy Martin Ozanne said he was concerned that the cost was expected to be so high and how the project would be paid for.
‘There’s a possibility that there could be a delay in our programme, but I believe that the States will find other means of being able to fund this expenditure,’ he said.
A UK consultants’ report has revealed that repairs to the airport runway could cost £50m., with a further £25m. if it is extended.
Unlike the airport and harbours, Deputy Ozanne said Education and Health were not trading bodies with income streams, so they could not borrow money.
‘I believe it’s important to ensure that the capital reserve is used for social reasons such as education, health and housing and that other avenues are explored to fund projects such as the airport development.’
Airport and harbour projects in the past had all been funded from the Ports Holding Account apart from the QEII Marina, which came from general revenue, and that had a large car parking element.
He said the new States would have to determine as soon as possible the level of the overspends on other projects in which Public Services were involved to make the picture clearer.
‘Let us hope a solution is found that is not as costly as the expected figure,’ he said.
Deputy Ozanne defended the stance of the former Board of Administration, of which he was a member and which oversaw development of the new airport terminal.
‘We had no option but to build that terminal as, if we hadn’t, the CAA could have stopped UK-registered aircraft from landing here,’ he said.
Health minister Peter Roffey said the cost of required work at the airport had come as ‘an Exocet’ to him and the level of expenditure was worrying.
‘It probably won’t impact so much on our revenue spending but it’s a brand new element to our capital prioritisation,’ he said.
‘I would be very upset if it resulted in the replacement of the Castel Hospital and the redevelopment of Les Beaucamps School being put on the back burner.’
He said Public Services minister Bill Bell had always told the States that when he was in business and asked to spend money, he asked what would happen if he did not.
‘And not being an expert in aviation, that’s something that I need to know,’ said Deputy Roffey.
The economy was vital and if it meant Guernsey would be turned into a backwater, then the island would have to press on, he said.
But if it was about one airline trying to bring one type of aircraft here, then one had to question whether the work could be phased over a number of years to lessen the impact.
‘I think the airport authorities have failed but I don’t know whether it’s the Public Services or its predecessor, the Board of Administration.
‘Over the past 10 years we should have had a more realistic idea on the level of capital expenditure that was needed for runway work.’
* Deputy Bell said options were available to fund essential work on the airport runway but would not be drawn on his preference. He said the method would be something for the States to decide.
Loading ...
Share this article:
What are these?