Alderney runway "beyond repair"

Sunday 07 February 2021

Alderney's runway is "on its last legs" and its surface will fail in the not-too-distant future unless completely renovated, according to one of the island's representatives in Guernsey's States.

25 months have passed since the States of Guernsey approved a £12m project to resurface the asphalt runway and return it to its regulation width, from 18 to 23 metres.

The last time the airport was upgraded was more than two decades ago and politicians from the northern isle have repeatedly warned that the Civil Aviation Authority permission under which the airport currently operates could be taken away if the work is not done.

One of Alderney's representatives in the States of Guernsey, Steve Roberts, said a recently-announced five-year commitment to support Aurigny's Alderney services had brought "much-needed confidence" to the island's economy, which is dependent on air links. 

Mr Roberts said the long-planned runway renovation works are of "equal importance" and desperately need to be carried out soon following "years of delay".

Pictured: Mr Roberts said it is too late in the day for politicians to start seeking alternative solutions, as the runway is close to failure. 

"This has been on the table for years and there is recognition by the airport authorities that the current runway is on its last legs, with the professional engineers advising that it cannot be patched or repaired any further," he said. 

"There is a real risk of failure which is why the plea is that all the stops are pulled out in the procurement processes to ensure the works can begin this year."

He expressed frustrations that alternative solutions to the approved work have been discussed since, saying the time for prevarication has been and gone.

"It is appreciated that in debates there will always be those who, understandably, want to explore one more option, or one more permutation, or have a view that there might be a more cost effective solution.

"The time however for that has passed and the loss of the airport for many months should the runway surface fail is not something that either island can countenance."