‘Jan’s runway’ to save millions

Friday 20th February 2009, 2:29PM GMT.

MILLIONS of pounds look like being shaved off the cost to fix the airport runway after calls for a rethink.

Jan Kuttelwascher’s successful sursis in December sent Public Services away to look at more options for its proposed £84.5m scheme – one of various spending projects the States must soon choose between.

It has to report back next month but looks likely to back an option dubbed ‘Jan’s runway’. The idea could be in the region of £6m. to £8m. cheaper, although that has yet to be finalised.

Deputy Kuttelwascher, pictured, who has been working with the department on the plans, was pleased with the result.

‘I said I wanted the best outcome,’ said the former pilot.

‘There will be great savings made over the initial indicative costs of £84m.’

The proposal would reduce the impact on the west end of the runway with less re-levelling than was first proposed. This accounts for some of the savings. The plan would also allow for a future extension of the airstrip if the States decided to pursue that option.

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1
Paul

February 20, 2009 at 5:03 pm

Nice saving. However it is nowhere near enough. A few percent is still a bit rich as far as I’m concerned.

I would like to see some quotes from German companies. If we were to take this route then I have no doubt that the cost would be halved.

I feel it has been wrong to place the 85 million mark around in the public domain. This just creates a benchmark for other tendering companies to work towards.

To get the best value for money we need to get tenders from lots of companies and also from lots of countries.

Only then the true value for money will be seen.

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2
Bobster

February 20, 2009 at 9:13 pm

The main contractor needs to be financially stable so local subcontractors arent dropped in it, as has happended in the past. Full and proper due diligence is required here.

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3
Patricia Huddle

February 22, 2009 at 9:19 am

The sooner the runway is fixed the better so that Flybe can start using jets again on its Guernsey routes. The recent New York to Buffalo plane crash was a Bombardier Q400 which is the same type of aircraft that Flybe now uses on all its Guernsey routes. In 2007 the safety issue of this aircraft was raised after SAS experienced three crash landings in short succession and which resulted in them discontinuing the use of this aircraft and receiving a large payout from the Canadian manufacturers.

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4
Jackie

February 22, 2009 at 6:37 pm

What’s concerning about this, if the story is true, it takes a retired 747 pilot to happen to know a bit about airports to make a saving – albeit a tiny one.

Goes to show the state of the States procurement policies. What do consultants say to their clients. ‘Hello, I’m a consultant, what result do you want Mr politician?’

Is that how it works?

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