New barrier to restore Alderney fishing access after breakwater's Storm Goretti damage
- New barrier system will restore fishing access to Alderney breakwater slipway after Storm Goretti damage
- Fishermen will have unhindered access to undamaged slipway while breakwater remains closed to public
- Large holes on lower walkway and risk of falling debris from upper wall create ongoing safety concerns
- Some areas appear intact but have hidden structural damage with unsupported sections
- Public access barriers will remain until repairs make breakwater safe for pedestrians
Environment & Infrastructure is installing a new barrier system to restore fishing access to Alderney's breakwater slipway following damage caused by Storm Goretti earlier this year.
The move will allow local fishermen to use the breakwater slipway to land their catch, despite ongoing safety concerns about the damaged breakwater structure itself.
Currently, the swing gate providing access to the breakwater remains closed to the public to prevent injury to anyone walking on the damaged structure. However, this closure has also restricted access to the slipway, even though the slipway itself was not damaged in the storm.
The new barrier system will maintain the closure of the breakwater while creating a separate access route to the slipway for fishing.
The breakwater sustained significant damage during Storm Goretti, with large holes appearing on the lower walkway. Repair work is being carried out as weather conditions permit, though some areas require more substantial reconstruction work.
Safety concerns extend beyond the visible damage. There is a risk of loose material falling from damaged sections of the upper wall onto the lower walkway below. Additionally, areas of the upper walkway appear intact to pedestrians but have suffered structural damage underneath, meaning sections are not fully supported.
No timeline has been provided for when repairs will be completed.
Q&A
Q: Why is the breakwater still closed to the public?
A: The breakwater has large holes on the lower walkway, risk of falling debris from the upper wall, and areas with hidden structural damage where sections are not fully supported, creating safety risks for pedestrians.
Q: How will fishermen access the slipway if the breakwater is closed?
A: A new barrier system is being installed that will prevent public access to the damaged breakwater while still allowing fishermen unhindered and unsupervised access to the undamaged slipway.
Q: When will the breakwater reopen to the public?
A: No specific timeline has been given. Barriers will be removed as soon as it is safe for pedestrians to access the breakwater again, with repairs continuing as weather permits.
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