WITH the debate over the airport runway set to soar this week as deputies start discussing spending priorities, there is much to think about.

As the special news feature in today’s Guernsey Presss centre pages shows, no one is arguing about the need for some work to be done. The question is what work?

Certainly £85m. out of already overstreched States coffers is a huge amount of cash.

But across the board it seems that both the island’s Public Services, Commerce and Employment and business leaders see a need for some work to be done.

The photographs in today’s feature reveal the condition of the airstrip and the sheer toll of the daily wear and tear that this vital gateway to our island sustains.

We also hear from Public Services how there is really ‘no option’ but to spend millions on the airport,  with the deteriorating state of its runway and aircraft parking areas heading towards a critical stage.

With international safety standards non-negotiable and the need for Guernsey to mantain its economic stature, it is clear that some remedial work must be done, and soon.

As the minister says: ‘The decision is something that cannot be put off  for a year or two’.

All of which sounds highly sensible. But what islanders find more perplexing is the whole runway extension row.

While it is unlikely that anyone in the States will this week argue not to do essential repair work, there are sure to be clashes over the  airstrip’s length.

Public Services doesn’t see the need and says it would push the bill up to £119m.

Conversely, Commerce and Employment is backing the calls to see the strip lengthened to attract more aircraft and avoid causing self-imposed problems for air services in the future.

Guernsey’s Chamber of Commerce has also thrown its weight behind that view, something it says it has been voicing for years.

Whoever wins the debate, with at least two years of work needed to be done, including night working,  any extension would apparently have now to be an add-on project post-2011.

All of which begs this question, is this yet another case of non joined-up government?

At the very least let’s hope the right decision is finally and efficiently made.

What isn’t up for debate is that the future of our airport is one States project that can’t afford to be left waiting around on the tarmac.