THE thousands of pounds spent on the new Sark harbour crane could have been better used to improve island life, according to the latest edition of The Sark Newsletter.

It states it would have cost £6,000 to repair the old harbour crane but Chief Pleas opted to buy a new one for £205,000.

Kevin Delaney (pictured), who said he writes the newsletter from his own perspective as a Sark resident and taxpayer trying to raise local issues, believes the money could have been spent on many other important items.

‘Now the euphoria surrounding the arrival of the new crane has worn off, and with both vehicles now sitting down at the harbour, either one ready and able to meet the needs of the island, it is interesting to reflect on how this complete waste of taxpayers’ money could have been better allocated,’ he said.

‘Huge upgrades to our current medical facilities could have been achieved. This money would have limited the number of people we have to refer to Guernsey.’

He estimates it would have cost £100,000 to buy an X-ray machine or £50,000 could have been used to set up a dental surgery.

‘Arrangements made with a Guernsey practitioner to visit once a week would allow islanders access to many aspects of dental care that they currently have to travel to Guernsey for,’ he said.