Castle Bridge to remain open during preparatory strengthening works
- Castle Bridge will remain open to pedestrians during eight-week preparatory works starting 15 June
- Contractors will strengthen nine historic granite piers from the 1800s using cement grout injection
- The piers will be retained as part of the like-for-like bridge replacement
- Main reconstruction begins in September 2026, requiring approximately nine months of full closure
- Access underneath the bridge remains prohibited due to risk of falling material from the deteriorating structure
The Castle Bridge will remain open to pedestrians while preparatory works are carried out ahead of its full reconstruction.
Contractors Geomarine will begun strengthening works to the bridge's historic granite piers from 15 June. The programme will involve drilling into the rubble core of the existing bridge piers and injecting cement grout to solidify the core material.
The nine piers, which date back to the 1800s, are a key feature of the structure and will be retained as part of the like-for-like replacement of the bridge.
The work is expected to take up to eight weeks and will be carried out in phases, with small work compounds established as the contractor progresses along the bridge.
Guernsey Ports, which is overseeing the project on behalf of the States of Guernsey, has confirmed that pedestrian access across the main bridge and the approach bridge to Castle Cornet will remain open throughout the works.
Project manager Joe Armstrong said: "These preparatory works are an important first stage of the Castle Bridge reconstruction. They are necessary to ensure the existing granite piers can be utilised as part of the new structure."
He added: "We have carefully planned these works so that people can continue to access Castle Cornet and the Breakwater, providing they follow the safety signage and any temporary arrangements in place."
Public access underneath the bridge remains prohibited due to the risk of falling material caused by the ageing and deteriorating condition of the structure.
Guernsey Ports remains in contact with stakeholders to keep them informed as the project progresses and help mitigate disruption during the Castle Bridge reconstruction.
The main construction works are scheduled to begin in September and are expected to take around nine months. During this time, the bridge will be closed to the public while the existing 95-metre concrete deck is demolished and a new structure is built in its place.
Access to Castle Cornet and Castle Lighthouse will be maintained throughout the current preparatory works phase.
Q&A
Q: Will the Castle Bridge be closed during the preparatory works?
A: No, pedestrian access across the main bridge and approach bridge to Castle Cornet will remain open throughout the preparatory works, which are expected to last up to eight weeks starting 15 June.
Q: What do the preparatory works involve?
A: The works involve drilling into the rubble core of the nine historic granite piers that date back to the 1800s and injecting cement grout to solidify the core material. This strengthening is necessary to ensure the piers can be utilised as part of the new structure.
Q: When will the main reconstruction begin and how long will it take?
A: The main construction works are scheduled to begin in September 2026 and are expected to take around nine months. During this time, the bridge will be closed to the public while the existing 95-metre concrete deck is demolished and a new structure is built.
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