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Alderney looks set to welcome a new ferry to the island today - with the States of Alderney acknowledging the "entrepreneurial spirit" of those growing the island's sea links.
This positive addition to the island's transport links has been met with the agreement of an additional 30 subsidised sailings between Alderney and Guernsey this month - which could bring an additional 400 people to the island over the next couple of weeks.
The existing subsidised service, which sees both Causeway Explorer and Sorcerer II sailing between Alderney and Guernsey, has completed almost all of the 250 rotations agreed earlier this year.
In recognition of this work by Alderney Ferry Service, Alderney's Policy and Finance Committee said it agreed to subsidise the additional September sailings too.
With AFS carrying more than 4,000 passengers by the end of August with more than half of these travelling to Alderney, PFC said it's expecting the boats to transport a further 800 passengers between the islands if all scheduled sailings are completed during September too, with half of the passengers arriving in Alderney.
This follows the company's recent announcement of its new vessel - a twin-hulled boat - expected to arrive into Braye Harbour today.
Alderney's P&F Chairman congratulated Alderney Ferry Services for what its done to confirm the island's sea links as he announced the additional subsidised rotations.
"With all the hard work and determination involved in bringing a larger vessel to Alderney, AFS has demonstrated a commendable enthusiasm for maintaining connectivity between the islands," said Nigel Vooght.
"We are absolutely committed to encouraging inter-island connectivity by both air and sea and the extra 12 seats this vessel provides contributes to that commitment."
There is one problem associated with the growth of Alderney Ferry Services though, with the Harbour Authority having to make new arrangements for passengers and other logistics such as mooring solutions, and sailing schedules, due to increased traffic.
The positive developments regarding Alderney's sea links came less than a week after Guernsey's Chief Minister confirmed there is unlikely to be any immediate progress on work to upgrade the island's airport.
Deputy Lyndon Trott told the States of Guernsey, during last week's meeting, that the previously preferred option for the rehabilitation of the runway and redevelopment of the airport itself is no longer viable and is "totally unaffordable".
It is now looking increasingly likely that the airport and runway will be maintained rather than rebuilt, he confirmed.
"Given the (Policy and Resources) Committee's responsibility for managing the 1948 Agreement, it is currently in ongoing discussions with the States of Alderney regarding options for Alderney to contribute financially to the rehabilitation of its runway in addition to the terminal," he said.
"It is clear that Option C+, as currently scoped, is not viable and totally unaffordable. Before the end of this term, the States of Deliberation will be presented with proposals to maintain a suitable provision within the project's approved budget envelope, however it is highly unlikely that this solution will be of the scale of the original proposals."
Waiting for Alderney apparently, on a transferred service .
— steve roberts (@captainpipkin) September 5, 2024
Runway is even worse. Playing electioneering mind games with a full tax payers future, showing lack of care for the island and its sick and elderly.
I see absolutely no care within.
Not the Alderney people’s fault. pic.twitter.com/Z8UB88HGXC
Deputy Trott acknowledged that his colleagues from Alderney - including Alderney States Members Alex Snowdon and Steve Roberts who represent the island in Guernsey - would be "disappointed by this" adding "however they will recognise that it is the duty of the Committee to assess each funding request objectively to ensure taxpayers receive value for money - and we are thankful to the States of Alderney for their continued engagement."
He reiterated that the Alderney Airport project remains "a prioritised piece of cross-committee work to ensure that the airport continues to operate safely, and that the obligations of the 1948 Agreement are met".
Mr Snowdon used last week's States meeting to ask for more details about the delays - including a timeline for future debates.
Deputy Trott said there won't be any dates set until after the States of Guernsey and Alderney can confirm if any more funding is available to "assist In the extraordinary funding gap that exists".
"We are in a position where we are waiting for a number of pieces of information to come our way," he said. "I would bring it back as soon as and we'll do our best to bring it back as soon as that information is available."
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