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Concerns have been raised over the condition of the new Cow's Horn Steps, just recently reopened to the public after a landslide in March 2020 left them impassable.
Former Deputy and Mother of the House, Mary Lowe, raised the initial query with Environment and Infrastructure, as well as posting publicly on social media, along with a collection of photos.
The images show chunks of steps missing, chipped, or cracked.
The concrete - or whatever material has been used, the slabs/steps are not looking that great either with bits missing https://t.co/JkGBSqOhoQ pic.twitter.com/86sNOn0aUM
— Mary Lowe (@MaryLowe501) September 19, 2024
The steps only reopened at the start of this month after a lengthy time spent shut.
The damage was originally caused in March 2020, but nothing could initially be done because of covid, before the extent of the repair work needed was confirmed in November of that year.
The second covid lockdown the following year delayed matters further before the States approved funding for the repair work in 2022, and a planning application was submitted and approved last year.
With the steps now open to the public, providing access from La Vallette to the Clarence Battery, it was no surprise many people were quick to make use of them.
However, those worrying about the apparent condition of the steps, shouldn’t, according to the States.
Pictured: The steps had been out of action for over 4 and-a-half years.
In a statement from the Island's Infrastructure Officer, it's explained that the damage is limited and is not new.
“Reported damage to several brick step treads of the recently installed steps is not new," confirmed Marco Tersigni.
"The damage was already existent on those bricks prior to the new installation. Damage to the older section of the steps is also pre-existing and did not form part of the repair work as they were considered in an acceptable weathered, but serviceable, condition.
"These older steps are generous and the step heights are modest, such that they have never been considered difficult to negotiate. However, further enhancements and maintenance works are being considered.”
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