Clarence Battery steps reopen

The Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure will reopen the steps from La Vallette to Clarence Battery tomorrow afternoon following the completion of extensive works to stabilise the rock faces and reinstate the steps.

The completion of these works restores the link between Town and Guernsey's east and south coastal cliff paths.

These works have provided an opportunity to improve the accessibility of the steps with clear edges and level surfaces, while generally maintaining the same style. The new steps follow the same line as the previous ones, with some of these retained.

Given that issues with drainage were thought to be a contributing factor to the original landslip, the restored steps now have an improved drainage system in place which is largely concealed in the ground underneath the steps.

The works compound at the base of the steps will be removed, enabling the turning circle to be reinstated and two-hour parking in the diagonal spaces made available again. With the diagonal parking spaces being reinstated, some of the two-hour spaces between Ladies' Pool and towards the Horseshoe swimming area will return to 1-hour spaces.

Islanders may still see some minor works, such as tree planting, being carried out over the coming weeks and months, but all substantial works are complete.

Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez, President of the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure, said:

"The Committee completes routine infrastructure maintenance projects on a weekly basis to restore our coastal defences, roads and other features, but this project is anything but routine. We really are delighted to be able to complete this major project and reopen these steps, which I'm sure will be welcomed by islanders and visitors alike.

"While some will have seen seven months of visible works on site, this was really the culmination of an intricate and detailed project to make the area safe and get these steps back in action following the landslip.

"I'd like to thank officers working across the States, as well as our contractor, who have ensured that the work remained on track throughout.

"The people I speak to want government to 'get things done', so having reopened Petit Port steps last year, and now this, it's brilliant to be able to add this to the list of coastal infrastructure improvements our Committee has overseen."

Helen Bonner-Morgan, Vive La Vallette - Operations Director, said:

"We're really delighted to hear that the Clarence Battery steps are re-opening and grateful to all those that have worked hard to open up this wonderful gateway to the South Coast cliffs."