Millennium Walk closed following storm damage
- Millennium Walk closed after storm damage brought down trees and left dangerous branches hanging above the route
- Walk will remain closed until tree surgeons can clear fallen trees and make area safe
- Officials warn danger includes weakened branches still hanging that could fall without warning
- Guernsey Water competing with others for available tree surgeons following storm
- Public urged not to ignore closure signs; reopening date dependent on when work can be completed
Guernsey Water has closed the Millennium Walk after storm damage brought down trees and left potentially dangerous branches hanging above the popular route.
The walk will remain closed while the utility company waits for tree surgeons to clear fallen trees and branches from the paths and make the area safe.
Although the damage is less extensive than previous storms, officials say there are still significant risks to people using the walk, including branches which may have been weakened or dislodged by the storm and could fall without warning.
Tania Sargent, customer services manager at Guernsey Water, said: "We know how popular the Millennium Walk is and we never want to close it unless we absolutely have to, but unfortunately the storm has left us with no choice."
"It's important to stress that the danger isn't limited to the trees and branches people can see lying across the paths. There are also branches still hanging above the route which could come down, and until tree surgeons have been able to deal with those, we simply can't say the walk is safe."
Ms Sargent added that Guernsey Water was in the same position as everyone else who needs tree surgeons following a storm.
"In the meantime, please don't ignore the closure signs and we will re-open the walk just as soon as we can," she said.
Guernsey Water said it will provide a further update as soon as it has more information about when the Millennium Walk can safely reopen.
Guernsey Water is the island's only water company, overseeing the collection, storage, treatment and distribution of potable water to over 25,000 homes and businesses, and the collection and safe disposal of all the island's wastewater.
Q&A
Q: Why has the Millennium Walk been closed?
A: The walk has been closed following storm damage which brought down trees and left potentially dangerous branches hanging above the route that could fall without warning.
Q: When will the Millennium Walk reopen?
A: The walk will remain closed until tree surgeons become available to clear fallen trees and branches and make the area safe. Guernsey Water will provide an update once it has more information about a reopening date.
Q: Is the storm damage worse than previous incidents?
A: No, Guernsey Water says the damage is less extensive than previous storms, but there are still significant risks to public safety from weakened branches that could fall.
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