16 June 2008
The Bellozanne incinerator is currently shut down for planned maintenance on the chimney. The need for the repair work was detected after inspections earlier in the year, however when the steeplejacks arrived they found additional serious problems.
The chimney was last surveyed in October last year, with a further inspection carried out this January. As a result, minor works were scheduled to take place in April. When the steeplejacks arrived on site in April, they found a more serious problem which required them to undertake further investigations. The steeplejacks have now confirmed the extent of the problem and proposed a solution to repair the structural defect.
Due to the nature of the defect, however, they are now consulting a specialist structural engineer to confirm their report and proposals. The structural engineer is due to arrive in Jersey tomorrow and will undertake an inspection to consider the temporary and permanent repair being proposed by the steeplejacks.
The incinerator is currently shut down to allow the inspection work to be undertaken, and will remain shut down until the repair method has been confirmed by the specialist. It is hoped that it will be able to reopen later this week.
Despite the shut down, the site has still been taking waste from the public and from Parish Refuse Collections as it has been able to store it, as the bunker reception area has still been operational.
“Transport and Technical Services has had to increase its inspection and maintenance programme to ensure that this aging plant is kept operational,” said Deputy Guy de Faye Minister for Transport and Technical Services. “This is yet another problem that needs fixing. There can no longer be any doubt that we need a replacement plant as soon as possible.”
gov.je