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Remedial works to restore access to Petit Port beach are set to commence this Sunday, but it is unlikely that many of the public will be able to enjoy the area this summer.
The steps to the beach have been closed since March this year following a series of landslips which were identified in an engineering survey as representing a risk to public safety on the pathway.
Rock-catching fences on the cliff face were claimed to be filled beyond capacity by the continually falling debris.
The works will occur across two phases, the first of which starts on Sunday 24 July and is expected to be completed in early August.
The second phase will remove the debris collected behind the fencing to ensure they can withstand further rock falls. The start date and expected length of this phase are yet to be confirmed.
The States hopes access to the beach via the steps can be resumed “later this year”. In the meantime, boaters are encouraged to avoid the cliff bottoms and not attempt to climb the steps when visiting Petit Port from the sea.
Pictured: The steps should reopen before the end of the year.
The area is designated a Site of Special Significance, therefore Agriculture, Countryside & Land Management Services has consulted the Planning Service and have also carried out a breeding bird survey to ensure the work can be carried out sensitively.
The works have now been scheduled in line with the availability of a local contractor and an engineering geologist.
The initial work required involves:
• Inspection of the cliff faces and scaling works to remove loose stones;
• Routine inspection of infrastructure on the cliff face to ensure it is still sound and see how they can be further improved;
• Site investigations of the land slip site to determine the suitability of anchor points, which are required to empty the rock-catch fencing in the next phase, and to develop a method of emptying the debris from behind the catcher fence;
• Assessment of any other infrastructural work required to make the area safe to access.
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