12 February 2010
A sum of £80,000 has been allocated to Jersey Harbours from the fiscal stimulus fund, to allow repair work to begin at St Aubin's Pier. The money will be used to undertake pre-construction work before starting the repairs.
Initial environmental consultation identified that the pier is inhabited by rare molluscs. Since this discovery, the team at Jersey Harbours has been working out how to undertake the necessary repairs within the timescale, without disturbing the creatures and without incurring extra expense. The project team has now identified an alternative way to complete the repairs by the end of August 2010.
The Technical Services Manager for Jersey Harbours, Ray Hine, is managing the project. He said “By using an alternative repair method called ‘stitching’, we can avoid disruption to the pier and minimise disturbance to the marine life, including the molluscs which are causing particular concern.
“This method will also provide good value for money and we have asked UK based experts to train up local contractors to maintain the involvement of local skills and labour. The stitching method involves drilling small diameter holes along the pier and infilling with steel rods and grout, providing a series of solid reinforcement anchors.
“This technology has a worldwide reputation for structural preservation while remaining sensitive to historical architecture.”
The Treasury Minister, Senator Philip Ozouf, said “This repair work is a significant and necessary project which was in the capital programme for 2013. It is important both to retain the viability of a much-loved harbour, and to provide work for local residents in difficult times.”
The Assistant Economic Development Minister, Senator Paul Routier, said “Now the Harbours team has worked out a way to complete the project within a period that meets the ‘timely’ objective of the fiscal stimulus fund, while also keeping the resident molluscs safe, I am pleased to be able to allocate this money to allow Jersey Harbours to bring the work forward.
“Our aim is for fiscal stimulus funds to help keep people in work and stimulate the economy. This will benefit all of us in the island, not just those who are directly affected by the funding.”
gov.je