L'Ancresse wall requête would be "extremely costly"

Tuesday 18 February 2020

Policy & Resources has written a letter to deputies, asking that they stick to current plans for part of the L'Ancresse wall to be removed, rather than supporting an upcoming requête.

The requête, which is being led by Deputy Al Brouard, calls for realignment plans at the bay to be dropped for the next ten years, while work to maintain the anti-tank wall continues.

It has received support from members of a protest group, which attempted to pressure the States to 'Save the L'Ancresse Wall' when the original debate took place back in 2017.

However, in its Letter of Comment, P&R is encouraging deputies to vote against the requête.

Pictured: P&R President, Deputy Gavin St Pier.

"There are some strongly held views about the best options for managing the coastline and coastal defences in the area, including concerns about the impact on L'Ancresse Common through the managed realignment of the area if sections of the anti-tank wall are removed," the letter stated. "However, if supported, the requête will substantially increase the maintenance costs without any identification of the benefits of this approach over that approved by the States in September 2017."

The letter supports the view of the Committee for Environment & Infrastructure, which claims the requête would cost the island a minimum of £1.65million over the next decade.

Pictured: Deputy Al Brouard, who is leading the requête.

"The States have previously made an evidence based decision drawing on highly regarded expert advice they have commissioned and there has been no material change since then to require the decision to be reconsidered," the letter continued.

"The requête should not be supported because, if approved, it will see the States taking a high risk approach to the management of this area of Guernsey's coastline and one which could prove extremely costly for Guernsey, both in terms of repair costs and management of the adjoining areas of L'Ancresse Common."

The full letter is available to read here.

The requête is due to be debated at a States Meeting next week.

Pictured top: The L'Ancresse wall.