> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.thequarry.media/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # E&I unveils four-year plan - Bridge flood defences, re-routing Fermain path on the agenda - URL: https://www.thequarry.media/e-i-unveils-four-year-plan-bridge-flood-defences-re-routing-fermain-path-on-the-agenda/ - Published: 2026-09-08T09:35:52.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-08T09:35:52.000Z - Author: The Quarry - Tags: News - Environment & Infrastructure publishes 2026-2029 workplan prioritising flood defence, climate adaptation and infrastructure planning - St Sampson's enabling flood defences around Bridge area expected to begin construction in second half of political term - New combined waste incinerator at Longue Hougue will save States more than £160,000 annually, with full operation expected October 2026 - Fermain cliff path to be re-routed to new alignment following wall breach and ongoing erosion risk - Committee piloting priority-based budgeting approach to connect spending clearly to government priorities and demonstrable outputs Listen to this article 0:00 /0 1× Environment & Infrastructure has published its workplan for 2026-2029, setting out priorities centred on climate resilience, infrastructure planning and maintaining essential island services. The committee has placed flood defence and climate adaptation at the forefront of its agenda, with Deputy Adrian Gabriel, committee president, emphasising the need for "practical delivery and clear priorities" grounded in "realism rather than making empty promises." The headline climate initiative is the East Coast Strategic Flood Defence workstream, which will develop options for long-term flood defence infrastructure. The committee will also progress reporting under the Paris Agreement and develop foundations for a Climate Change Adaptation Plan. A major capital project already underway is the St Sampson's enabling flood defences around the Bridge area, with construction expected to commence in the second half of the political term. This project aims to protect existing homes and businesses while facilitating development of key housing sites currently hindered by flood risk. The project will progress through design concepts, options appraisal, detailed design and construction management, with works anticipated to begin in the second half of the term, subject to approvals. The enabling flood defence solution addresses overtopping risk at St Sampson's Harbour, protecting existing properties, infrastructure and businesses. Recognising the dual challenge of maintaining current supply while preparing for a lower-carbon future, the committee will progress policy work on fuel importation and storage. This work explicitly links to harbour infrastructure decisions, security of supply and economic considerations. The committee will continue its contribution to the Offshore Wind Delivery Board, supporting "evidence-based work on what offshore wind could mean for the Bailiwick" and the regulatory steps needed to enable it. The transport agenda focuses on practical improvements: delivering planned road maintenance programmes, an infrastructure priority plan with targeted interventions around schools and vulnerable road users, and continuing work to modernise the bus fleet. The committee emphasised safer roads and reliable public transport as key outcomes, helping people get to work, school and appointments while supporting healthier and more sustainable travel choices over time. The committee will implement practical guidance to reduce risks from invasive species that can impact the marine economy. It will progress foundations for future work on biodiversity net gain and wildlife legislation while delivering the States' Strategy for Nature. The workplan includes continued work supporting the long-term sustainability of the dairy industry, recognising its importance to food resilience, the rural economy and stewardship of Guernsey's countryside and landscape. Key areas include animal and plant health legislation aligned with evolving requirements to ensure trade continues safely and smoothly, and readiness for changes to border controls for sanitary and phytosanitary goods, including adaptation linked to the UK-EU SPS agreement. The committee will propose legislation to underpin contaminated land regulation and improve how information is recorded and accessed, enabling earlier risk identification and proportionate management. Transport regulation and licensing programmes will also continue. Following a wall breach and ongoing erosion risk at Fermain, the committee has agreed in principle to re-route the cliff path to a new alignment. The preferred approach involves negotiating and purchasing necessary rights of way or land for a new path. Alternative options like stabilising the cliff face or rebuilding the breached wall were assessed as high-cost and "logistically challenging," failing to address underlying erosion risk cost-effectively. A new combined animal and clinical waste incinerator at Longue Hougue will save the States more than £160,000 annually through reduced operating costs. The facility, replacing two ageing incinerators with modern technology, will "significantly reduce waste and the risk of pollution." Expected to begin full operation in October 2026, the project remains within budget. The committee identified some collaborative workstreams. Future harbour requirements is a "super priority" led by the Policy & Resources Committee requiring significant E&I input as harbour options must be considered alongside climate mitigation and adaptation, flood risk, transport and active travel, inert waste options, renewable energy infrastructure, the natural environment, marine planning, and fuel importation and storage policy. For the Leale's Yard redevelopment, E&I will provide technical and policy input on enabling infrastructure and flood risk mitigation. The committee will also provide policy and technical input on transport charging mechanisms to support wider fiscal decision-making on transport-based taxes. Environment & Infrastructure is piloting the States' move toward priority-based budgeting, which focuses on "very clearly connecting spending to government priorities and to demonstrable outputs." The approach emphasises clarity about objectives, focus on government priorities and ensuring resources are used most effectively. Learning from this pilot will feed into future budget cycles at a time when "public finances are under considerable pressure and constrained." In his foreword, Deputy Gabriel addressed the fundamental question: "what are the States of Guernsey doing to help me?" He stated this goes "to the heart of trust in government and accountability for how public money is used." The committee committed to explaining its work so "islanders can easily follow progress and rightly hold us to account if it is not evident." It will review strategic priorities annually. ## Q&A **Q: When will construction begin on the St Sampson's flood defences?** A: Construction is expected to commence in the second half of the political term, subject to approvals. The project will progress through design concepts, options appraisal and detailed design before works begin. **Q: How much will the new waste incinerator save annually?** A: The new combined animal and clinical waste incinerator at Longue Hougue will save the States more than £160,000 annually through reduced operating costs. It is expected to begin full operation in October 2026. **Q: What is priority-based budgeting and why is it being piloted?** A: Priority-based budgeting focuses on clearly connecting spending to government priorities and demonstrable outputs. Environment & Infrastructure is piloting this approach at a time when public finances are under considerable pressure and constrained, with learning feeding into future budget cycles.