Airlines try to play catch-up at the airport on Saturday. Delayed passengers should now have reached their destinations. (0898751)
GUERNSEY should be using the alternative to rock salt to keep the island moving, according to the Chamber of Commerce.
Director Barry Cash made the comments after Public Services announced on Friday that it had found a de-icing chemical – calcium magnesium acetate – that could be used to clear snow and ice without threatening the environment or water supplies.
The department said sufficient stocks were not available on-island but it could be imported if the cold weather continued.
‘I think we should have stocks of CMA now as the airport closure for three days is unacceptable,’ said Mr Cash.
He said it was a worthwhile investment and it would be prudent to have some now, as winter was really only just starting.
‘There is no doubting that it should be on the States’ shopping list.’
But Mr Cash said he could not criticise Public Services because no one had known how bad the weather was going to be.
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Article posted on 11th January, 2010 - 11.30am
2 Article Comments
Personally………….. I would have loved to see the Airport Firemen clear the runways by with shovels and then the £4k they got for nothing might sit alot easier with the public!!.
At least Guernsey Airport opened on Saturday I am lead to believe that Alderney Airport didn’t re-open till Sunday and they also employ Airport Fireman who didn’t go on strike but got an extra £4k for nothing !!!
Equip them with shovels next snow fall
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Well at least they will have some kind of de-icing product NEXT TIME. In the mean time they will be driving tractors and fire engines up and down the runway.
Do they also intend to purchase de-icing equipment for aircraft?
This sounds like a compromise to save face!!!
With regard to rock salt (for the roads and runway). What nationally or internationally accepted standard is the States Water Department using to determine water quality?
Engineering decisions should be based upon standards and facts, not impulse and personal opinion.
Potable fresh water standards dictate acceptable levels of chlorides as well as bacteria levels. What are these levels in Guernsey water?
What is the water catchment area of the reservoir? There should be no reason why rock salt cannot be used freely in areas outside of the reservoir catchment area (e.g. St. Peter Port / St. Sampsons). Run-off water in the town and St. Sampsons flows into the sea, not the reservoir.
In countries where sub-zero temperatures are a normal part of life (Scandinavia, U.S.A. & Canada) millions of tons of rock salt are used every year to keep roads ice free and society moving.
In reservoir catchment areas in the U.S. & Canada you will see road signs along highways stating “Low Salt Area” to warn drivers that the road may not be fully ice free. Records are kept of how many truck loads of salt are spread on the roads in these areas. The quantity of water in a reservoir is known (as it will be in Guernsey) and the applied amount is kept within the allowable limit as determined by the water standard in use. An allowance is made for salt leaching into the ground (i.e. not making it into the rservoir). Water quality is monitored on a daily basis.
One should ask what the allowable levels of E-Coli and Fecal Coliform are in Guernsey water. After all farmers are allowed to graze their cattle in the reservoir catchment area. There are dairy farms in these areas (what happens to the run off from them?).
Remember States Water is the same department that were unable to operate a desalination plant. Word on the street in Guernsey is that desalination plants do not work. I would suggest that these people visit Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States.
Now Guernsey is telling the world that rock salt does not work (or cannot be used) to clear snow and ice.
The whole situation is ludicrous!!!
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