Cheaper scheme now planned for L'Ancresse anti-tank wall

Wednesday 16 March 2022

A 272-metre stretch of the anti-tank wall at L'Ancresse East will see minimal work and reactive repairs only until at least 2030 if States' members agree to scrap plans for a more extensive maintenance programme.

The minimal approach now proposed by the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure involves putting more rock armour on the beach at the foot of the wall and if necessary pouring further concrete into emerging voids to prevent a serious breach in the wall and sea damage to land behind.

The Committee estimates that its latest proposals would cost between £100,000 and £150,000, although reactive works to prevent serious breaches could add further costs of £50,000 to £75,000 per intervention. 

The Committee is advising the States that this minimal approach could cost hundreds of thousands of pounds less over the next few years than the full maintenance programme previously agreed by the States.

Pictured: The Committee's latest scheme, which could be debated by the States next month, will make further use of rock armour on the beach at L'Ancresse.

Deputy Lindsay De Sausmarez, President of the Committee, said her Committee's recommended scheme is "a straightforward, pragmatic proposal" which respects both the spirit of previous States' directions on the wall and "the current constraints on public finances".

"The Committee can implement this proposed new management approach within its existing budget, meaning the policy letter does not ask the States for any additional resources," she said.

The eastern section of the anti-tank wall has been the subject of considerable political and public debate in recent years.

In 2017, the States voted for a £1million scheme to remove the damaged section of the wall and undertake what was referred to as managed realignment of the coastline, including the gradual development of a dune-backed beach.

But in April 2020, six months before the general election, the States approved a Requête which suspended the managed realignment scheme and instead directed extensive maintenance of the wall. The Requête estimated that such a maintenance programme would cost around £300,000, but the Committee itself has consistently estimated that the costs would be around £1million.

Deputy De Sausmarez said that her Committee's current proposals for a minimal approach were "developed through constructive dialogue with the remaining requérants" and the Policy & Resources Committee. 

Pictured: Deputy Al Brouard led a Requête which succeeded in suspending a scheme to remove the eastern section of the anti-tank wall and putting in place a maintenance programme instead. The estimated costs of the two approaches are now broadly the same - around £1million - and so a cheaper alternative scheme of minimal intervention is being put forward, which Deputy Brouard said he could support.

The Requête of April 2020 was led by Deputy Al Brouard. Deputy Brouard today told Express that he welcomed the latest approach proposed by the Committee.

"I am very pleased and supportive of the proposals which are being brought to the States by Deputy De Sausmarez and her team on the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure in response to the L’Ancresse Requête last term," said Deputy Brouard. 

"Although not perfect and I don’t agree with every word of the policy letter, I do feel it’s a practical way forward, and I have found it has been a positive experience working with Environment & Infrastructure and their staff to come up with a workable compromise that recognises the thrust and sprit of the Requête and the practical and financial limitations that the island and committees face."

Deputy Neil Inder, a signatory of the Requête and a prominent critic of the original managed realignment scheme, said: "As far as I'm aware, the remaining requérants will support the policy letter".