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It’s understood an attempt could be made to withdraw funding for the next few years from the project to overhaul Alderney’s airport, just weeks after the States backed continuing with it as part of a wider list of capital projects to receive immediate funding.
The States agreed at the end of 2022 to extend, widen and harden the island’s runway, as well as building a new airport terminal, fire station, and installing fencing compliant with more major airfields, for an estimated cost of £24m. The States of Alderney have committed another £3.5m to the project.
Funding for that project was reaffirmed by deputies in last week’s tax debate in the States, seeing it proceed among other major projects such as investment into housing at the Bridge and the second phase of hospital modernisation at the PEH.
An extended runway would allow larger aircraft to land in the island, allowing Aurigny - which is obliged to provide air routes - to dump the expensive Dornier aircraft and instead use the common ATR prop aircraft to reduce ongoing costs.
But there could be delay in the air, with an attempt to defund the full project possible. A group of deputies considered laying a motion to remove the Alderney airport project out the list of capital projects which received funding last week.
This didn’t happen, but it’s now been reported that group is planning on formally bringing the issue back for debate at their next meeting, as an amendment to the Government Work Plan.
Alderney Representative Alex Snowdon told the latest Express podcast, prior to the latest revelation, that a tender process was nearing completion and work needed to start on the deteriorating infrastructure “pronto”.
Listen: The latest feature-length audio documentary from Express, focusing on the latest tax and funding decisions of the States.
“The tarmac is end of life; the runway is end of life. It’s essential that it progresses as has been pointed out. It’s following the timeline correctly to my knowledge and hopefully it will be coming to the end of the process with the tenders soon to make sure that this important infrastructure project for the island is delivered.”
When Express called him, the Ministry of Justice – which has responsibility for Channel Islands affairs in the British government – were visiting the island and inspecting the condition of the site.
“I think everyone understands the importance of getting on and actually delivering this project. It’s been so many years that this has taken to get to the final stages, and now we are at the final stages it absolutely essential this is delivered,” Mr Snowdon said.
While work is progressing for now after the tender process opened in the summer, Mr Snowdon said island residents won’t be able to relax until there are spades in the ground.
“A sigh of relief is when we get the tarmac laid and we move to the aviation model that is needed, because at the moment until we get that it's concerning because you don’t know if it’s going to be closed, the runway, due to cracking in the runway or what the level of the surface is.
“It’s actually the best option and that’s what the resolution was,” he said.
The next States debate starts on 7 November. No amendment on Alderney’s airport, and deputies have just days remaining to submit those within the rules.
Pictured (top): Alex Snowdon.
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