26 August 2009
Pedestrians and cyclists using the Victoria Avenue promenade and cycle track between Rue de Galet and First Tower are the latest to benefit from fiscal stimulus funding.
The Treasury Minister yesterday approved the allocation of £337,000 to the Transport and Technical Services department (TTS) for this project, which will repair uneven surfaces and cracking concrete and enable drains to be updated. The funding means the work can now be finished by mid February 2010 instead of taking place over three years in various phases.
Senator Philip Ozouf has given the green light to the project, which will start after the International Air Display in mid-September. The refurbishment scheme will provide work for a number of local firms including hauliers, building merchants, asphalt and concrete suppliers who will now be invited to tender for the work.
TTS will supply some of the staff for the improvement works as a way of achieving best value for money.
"The promenade and cycle track are past the end of their serviceable life and we’re having to spend considerable money on annual maintenance," said the Transport and Technical Services Minister Constable Mike Jackson. "We’ll replace the concrete promenade and asphalt cycle track and take the opportunity to improve the drainage at the same time.
"Before we were allocated this money from the fiscal stimulus pot we would have had to do it in phases over the next three years. This funding enables us to complete it in one go which means the area will be made safer more quickly and we won’t have to organise the work three times," said the Minister.
During work on the promenade and then the cycle track there will still be room for pedestrians, cyclists and the Petit Train.