PUBLIC Services has been told to do more work on its plans for refurbishing the runway.

In an embarrassing setback for the department, it failed to even have its report debated by the Assembly yesterday, as former pilot Deputy Jan Kuttelwascher’s sursis for them to explore more alternative options was passed 28 votes to 17.

It means Public Services will not have its £85m. plans debated by States members ahead of the capital prioritisation debate in March.

This is likely to be in contrast to Health’s green paper on mental health facilities, which is due for debate in January, and Education’s on the redevelopment of Les Beaucamps School in February. Both of which are vying with the runway to be chosen by the States as its main capital priority for this term.

Deputy Kuttelwascher said Public Services had quite simply supplied an insufficient report. ‘The report only offered one option, that was not satisfactory.

‘The outcome is that PSD will have to come back with options – the 1,700-metre runway option, and a new minimum cost project – so that the States can discuss where they want to go.’