Guernsey politicians request £10m QE2 marina gate replacement
Replacing the gates of Guernsey's Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) Marina could cost about £10m according to the president of the States Trading Supervisory Board (STSB). STSB has approached Policy and Resources (P&R) to discuss how the project could be funded. Deputy Peter Roffey said the best way to fund the project would be through a loan from the States as this was a "a key bit of infrastructure" that was coming to the end of its life.P&R said it had only recently been made aware of the STSB proposal and had expressed its concerns to the board.
Roffey admitted it was an expensive project for the States. Non-States member of the STSB and Chair of the Guernsey Ports board Simon Thornton led the delegation to P&R to request the funds. Some of the marina users said they hoped the new gate would be 2m, rather than the current 1m gate. Head of infrastructure delivery at Guernsey Ports, Jenny Giles said: "The QEII gates and surrounding infrastructure are coming to the end of their useful life."Due to their age, the constant use and the exposure to weather and tide conditions all year round, the gates and the surrounding infrastructure are showing considerable signs of wear with repairs being required more frequently."The gates are constantly monitored by Guernsey Ports' team and more recent surveys have established that it would be more cost effective to replace the gates rather than continue with the substantial repairs which are likely to increase year on year."
The QE2 marina was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1989, although it first opened in 1987 and the gates have operated 26,280 times.This would be the first time the main gates have been replaced since the facility was constructed.Last year, two new pontoons were installed at the QE2 Marina at a cost of £1.4m. Politicians also clashed with boat owners in 2024 after they increased the cost of moorings in St Peter Port alongside promises these increases would lead to further investments in Guernsey's harbours.Ahead of Guernsey's general election at one of BBC Guernsey's roadshows, chair of the Guernsey Development Agency Peter Watson criticised the lack of spending on infrastructure.
Mr Watson said: "I really want to see some strategic working, I think they need to be brave, Guernsey has some big issues which need resolving. "We need infrastructure, we haven't spent on it in years."We really just have to build some infrastructure and move Guernsey forward."BBC Guernsey's next election roadshow is on 28 May at Vistas café.
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