Castle Bridge to close for eight months as £6.2m reconstruction begins
- Castle Bridge will close from 7 September for an eight-month, £6.2m reconstruction project
- The 95-metre bridge and approach bridge will be replaced to secure long-term access to Castle Cornet, the Breakwater and the Lighthouse
- Castle Cornet will close from 7 September, with the new bridge expected to reopen in late May 2027
- Parking arrangements around Castle Emplacement will be revised, with viewing spaces temporarily converted to two-hour parking
- Historic 19th-century granite piers supporting the bridge have been strengthened and will be retained as part of the new structure
Castle Bridge will close to the public from Monday 7 September as work begins on an eight-month reconstruction project to replace the ageing structure.
Final preparations for the £6.2m scheme are now underway, with contractors Geomarine constructing a temporary access bridge and crash deck. These structures will provide safe access for workers and protect the area below during the demolition and rebuild of the concrete bridge deck.
Guernsey Ports recently received planning permission to install temporary rock armour between Castle Cornet and Havelet slipway as part of the reconstruction project.
The Development and Planning Authority granted approval on 14 August for the tcoastal defence, which will be in place for 11 months from September to July 2027. The rock armour is designed to reduce wave energy during construction works on the main bridge access to Castle Cornet, protecting the site from potential storm damage.
Castle Cornet will remain open until Sunday 6 September before entering an extended winter closure whilst the reconstruction takes place. From 7 September, the bridge, adjacent parking area and raised walkway will be closed to the public.
The project will replace the existing 95-metre bridge and single span approach bridge, securing long-term access to Castle Cornet, the Castle Breakwater and the Castle Lighthouse. The new bridge is expected to reopen in late May 2027, ahead of the main visitor season.
Joe Armstrong, Project Civil Engineer for Guernsey Ports, which is managing the project, said: "The installation of the temporary access bridge marks an important milestone as we move from planning into construction. Over the coming weeks, people will see the site taking shape as Geomarine establishes the infrastructure needed for the reconstruction. At the same time, the connection of temporary utilities will ensure essential services to Castle Cornet and the Castle Lighthouse are maintained throughout the project."
Mr Armstrong emphasised that the temporary bridge and scaffold would be for contractors and emergency services only and would not provide public access to Castle Cornet or the Breakwater.
"The bridge and surrounding work area will be closed to the public, but access to all businesses on the Castle Emplacement will be continue throughout the reconstruction period," he said.
Revised parking arrangements will be introduced in the area from 7 September to maintain access for businesses and their customers whilst safely accommodating construction activities.
Parking availability on the Castle Emplacement will be reduced to provide space for contractor compounds, tenant storage and the increased commercial vehicle movements associated with the project.
The row of viewing-only spaces overlooking St Peter Port Harbour will be temporarily redesignated as standard two-hour parking to help maintain parking availability for business customers.
The project has already passed an important early milestone, with pre-construction works completed ahead of schedule. This includes specialist engineering works to strengthen the 19th-century granite piers that support the bridge deck and will form part of the replacement structure.
Mr Armstrong added: "These granite piers have supported access to Castle Cornet, the Breakwater and the Lighthouse for more than 150 years. By strengthening and retaining them, we're preserving an important part of the bridge's heritage, while reducing the need for unnecessary reconstruction."
"Completing this work means we are well prepared for the main phase of reconstruction to begin as scheduled in September."
Q&A
Q: When will Castle Bridge close and for how long?
A: Castle Bridge will close to the public from Monday 7 September 2026 for eight months, with the new bridge expected to reopen in late May 2027.
Q: Will Castle Cornet remain open during the reconstruction?
A: No. Castle Cornet will remain open until Sunday 6 September, then enter an extended winter closure whilst the reconstruction takes place.
Q: What is being done to preserve the historic elements of the bridge?
A: The 19th-century granite piers that have supported the bridge for more than 150 years are being strengthened and retained as part of the replacement structure, preserving an important part of the bridge's heritage.
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