FEARS that taxpayers would have to foot the bill for the £11.5m. overspend on the New Jetty were yesterday downplayed by Public Services.

Chief officer Adrian Lewis confirmed that £8m. of the total £14m. cost had already been paid and the remaining £6m. would come from the Ports Holding Account. The refurbishment project had been expected to come in at £2.5m. but ended up costing nearly six times as much and  is believed to be the worst States overspend yet.

Contractor Balvac, which had tried to claim £27.3m. for the project, accepted a settlement of £9m. It had already received payment of £4.3m. and will receive a further £4.7m in the coming months. And £3.7m. has already been paid out in legal and consultantcy fees.

Public Services minister Bernard Flouquet told the States that the department would investigate a loan from Treasury and Resources to pay for projects.