Companies have a month to bid for Castle Cornet bridge project

Saturday 21 December 2024

Guernsey Ports is on the hunt for a company to reconstruct the Castle Cornet bridge.

Its deck, which dates back to 1951, has required extensive monitoring and inspection because of the accelerated loss of concrete from underneath.

Earlier this year, the States approved proposals to replace the bridge with a like-for-like structure, with some design enhancements to meet modern health and safety standards, with a price tag of up to £7m.

The work involves the demolition and replacement of the 95-metre, nine span concrete deck and the single span approach bridge to Castle Cornet. The granite piers, which date back to the 1800s, are to be retained.

Pictured: Work on the harbour in 1856. The image is believed to have been taken by Victor Hugo's son Charles. The castle was connected in 1861.

Guernsey Ports Head of Infrastructure Delivery, Jenny Giles, said: "The current bridge has been in place for almost 75 years, and precautionary measures have had to be taken in recent years because of its ageing condition.

"We have already engaged in constructive discussions with planning officers around the outline design for the replacement bridge and how it fits in with the wider conservation area.

"At this stage, we are inviting expressions of interest from contractors with skills to remove and reconstruct this iconic and significant local infrastructure, which provides vital access to the Castle Lighthouse and Castle Cornet. The information gathered from contractors at this stage is essential to inform the project of their requirements as well as ours, and ensure a successful tender process. We're proposing that the works take place over a winter period to minimise disruption to all users of the area in the busy summer months."

The expressions of interest document is live on the States' tender portal until midday on 27 January.