This Is Guernsey

By Gemma Hockey

Environment wants to study the L’Ancresse/Pembroke area closely with a view to possibly abandoning the concrete wall to the elements. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 0409659)

ENVIRONMENT will investigate abandoning the sea wall at L’Ancresse, the States has agreed.

There was concern, however, in the House over the ‘do nothing’ recommendation in the consultant’s report. Environment minister David De Lisle assured members that no decision had yet been taken and that that was the point of further study.

‘It will depend on the States decision taken in the light of consultation and understanding of flood risks,’ he said.  The department wants to spend £33,000 analysing the Pembroke and L’Ancresse area to refine and reassess the viability of abandoning the wall.

‘Coastal defence is a very serious matter,’ said Deputy De Lisle, ‘particularly with rising sea levels.’

He said that could have serious consequences for commerce, roads and residential areas around the island.

‘We have to protect properties on the coast and we have to be prepared for any disaster with rising sea levels and we have to budget to defend properties and lives.’

Deputy John Gollop said he was concerned that the Haskoning report had a philosophy that it was conceivable that some areas of coastline might be abandoned.

‘We cannot afford to lose areas of land.’

He said it was a matter the States needed to keep under review.

‘We have to keep this at the forefront of the Environment Department and the Government Business Plan and ensure money is well spent and that there is a commitment to conserving coastal land and if necessary strengthening sea walls.’

Deputy Rhoderick Matthews said there was a possibility that the States would have to face abandoning sea defences.

Deputy Martin Ozanne disagreed.

He said the report did not add to the two that had gone before it, commissioned by the former Advisory and Finance Committee.

‘This doesn’t tell us any more than those reports. You might as well have taken the report from eight years ago off the shelf, dusted it off and here it is.’

Deputy David Grut said he was confused by the report and voted against noting it on the grounds that areas were not clear.

Deputy Ron Le Moignan said he was extremely concerned about sea levels affecting the Bridge area. ‘I don’t think we can afford to ignore this particular situation.’

Deputy Dave Jones said he wanted action now to protect the island’s coastline.

‘I believe that we should be starting a programme and stockpiling granite blocks so we can crane them on top of those walls if we need them in the future.’

Deputy Graham Guille warned that modifying coastal defences would cost a lot of money.

‘What I find difficult to take on board is the intention to spend £33,000 investigating abandoning the sea wall.

‘If we have £33,000 available to invest in abandoning the wall, perhaps some money could be used preventing that wall from collapsing.’

He urged the department to listen to those islanders who have lived on the coast for many years and had experienced the effects of rising sea levels.

Deputy De Lisle said the consultation was worthwhile because awareness of rising sea levels had grown immensely since the last reports were drafted.

He said Jersey had spent £6m. on sea defences whereas Guernsey had spent between £150,000 and £200,000 on ‘patching up and repairs’.