Slipway repairs starting today

Tuesday 12 March 2019

Work to stabilise the storm damaged slipway at Rocquaine will start today, with more long term repairs likely to be needed.

Le Douit du Moulin slipway collapsed during strong winds at the weekend, with many of the cobbles dislodged and some being swept away in the waves.

Traffic and Highways Services has said that stabilisation works will start this morning with traffic management put in place on the coast road while that is happening.

Temporary traffic signals will be used to maintain traffic flows past the works site while drivers are asked to slow down past the works as there will be plant, materials and workforce in the road.

Pictured above and top: Pictures by Jillian Marquis. 

The wind is believed to have reached more than 60mph on Sunday, with Guernsey Met having forecast gale F8 with gusts decreasing to 50mph during the afternoon.

The windy weather continued into Monday with a forecast including winds up to F7 during the day and F8 overnight, while Tuesday's forecast was for more of the same.

Wind today: South to southwest fresh strong F6 to 7, occasionally gale F8 with gusts to 55mph late morning, veering west to northwest around midday, with gusts to 45mph around showers. https://t.co/NkWV11LpTW

— Guernsey Met (@GuernseyMet) March 12, 2019

Initially, States Property Services have been on the site with Geomarine today. The work started to remove the displaced granite to temporary secure storage and to put concrete into the void to stabilise the structure and reduce the risk of the slipway unravelling further.  

In a statement issued by the States Senior Environmental Officer, Janice Dockerill, she said once the slipway is stabilised, the options for the repair works can be assessed.

She said; 

"The damage occurred because the sand levels on the beach dropped during the high tides and storm force winds, exposing the lowest edges of the haunch.  The soft sands and gravels were washed out by the force of the sea from under the haunches and the top of the slipway subsequently collapsed.

"The slipway is a structure of two halves, the top section near the road is relatively modern, rebuilt 1967 after storm damage with much smaller road setts down the middle.  The section now damaged is much older, with haunches of large (300mm sq) dressed granite blocks above concrete and down middle."

Pictured top: Image courtesy of Jillian Marquis.