Site investigations to be carried out on coastal defences and features

Wednesday 13 November 2024

As part of the ongoing programme of works to maintain our coastal infrastructure, proactive site investigations will start on Monday 18th November.

Inspections of several coastal defences and coastal features (e.g. slipways) will determine the condition of the specific structures so that remedial works can be prioritised at these locations.

The site investigations will take place in the following locations in the order listed below:

• Imperial slipway
• Fort Grey
• Rocquaine/Grand Port
• L'Erée
• Croix Martin & Perelle
• Cobo
• Pembroke

These investigations will involve creating trial holes to establish the foundation level of coastal features and to establish the condition of coastal defences below beach level. In addition, core sampling of existing concrete structures will take place to determine whether there are any voids present and to understand the condition of materials. The thickness of existing steel sheet piles will also be assessed.

Weather and tides permitting, all these investigations are due to be completed by Christmas.

Coastal defences are sections of frontage that provide direct protection to the land behind, whereas coastal features are important parts of the coastline that contribute to Guernsey's unique coastal beauty, but do not significantly protect the land behind it from coastal flooding or erosion e.g. slipways, access points to the seafront etc.

Marco Tersigni, Infrastructure Officer, said:

"As part of our proactive works to support, preserve and maintain our coastal infrastructure, it's important to make sure that we are planning our works based on up to date condition reports of our coastal defences and features.

"We can gather a certain amount of information from the external appearance of our coastal infrastructure, but, with budgets necessarily constrained and expenditure needing to be targeted carefully, it's important to carry out thorough investigations to understand exactly what remedial works might be necessary in the near future or in the longer-term."