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The long running debate over what to do about the crumbling section of wall at L'ancresse Bay has reared its head on social media after the States started to dump another load of boulders there.
The rock armouring is intended to prevent further deterioration of the anti-tank wall which was built by slave workers during the Occupation and has remained in place ever since.
In 2017, deputies agreed that the bay should be realigned which included the removal of the damaged section of the wall at L'ancresse east and the creation of groynes built out of boulders on the bay to encourage dunes to develop at the high tide mark.
However, repeated interventions led to that decision being overturned and the States agreeing a policy of managing the wall.
Pictured: Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez's E&I committee is tasked with 'managing' the wall.
Under the new policy there must be a programme of maintenance on the wall. As part of that agreement, more rock armouring will be placed along several sections of the wall over the next eight weeks.
The large boulders are intended to provide the deteriorating structure with additional protection to stop it from crumbling further.
Boulders had already been placed there, while concrete was poured into voids in the wall to plumb a breach last year.
Other protective measures have included fences on the kiosk side of the wall, and signs warning people not to climb on the rocks or wall, or to walk on the wall.
During March and April, rock armouring will be placed along several sections of the wall at L’Ancresse to provide the deteriorating structure with additional protection.
— States of Guernsey (@Govgg) March 6, 2023
Read more at https://t.co/2UbCRXob9J pic.twitter.com/NdZPjXLSCj
Campaigners wanting to 'Save the L'ancresse Wall' and their supporters had previously backed this 'management' approach as opposed to the removal of the wall.
A Facebook page which is believed to be administered by someone who lives on or near L'ancresse Common monitors the condition of the wall and the sand levels on the beach throughout the year.
It yesterday shared the news that the States was starting to drop more rock armouring in the area saying it will "ensure the stability of the wall".
Others have been critical of the latest move to place rock armouring at the base of the damaged section of the wall.
Among those who had wanted to see the wall removed in a managed approach is one man who described the current States policy as "pointles".
Political commentator Ross Le Brun described the wall as a "falling down piece of concrete propped up by thousands of tonnes of boulders".
He said the rock armouring doesn't improve the natural beauty of the area and it means there is "no where for families to sit as the tide comes up".
He said the ongoing costs of maintaining the wall will end up so large that it will probably mean "the wall will never be able to be fixed properly so it all just seems totally pointless...".
States back plan for minimal work and more rock armour at L'Ancresse
Cheaper scheme now planned for L'Ancresse anti-tank wall
Next set of battle lines drawn over the L'ancresse anti tank wall
L'ancresse wall repair to be carried out, despite planned removal
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