Flood defences announced for the Bridge

This is the outcome of months of work and discussion with parish authorities and others as Environment & Infrastructure and the Guernsey Housing Authority have been looking at ways of advancing building on the former Kenilworth Vineries site, now called Parc Le Lacheur.

The GHA wants to create more than 150 homes there and will later this year provide proposals for the layout and density of the area, as well as outlining proposed green spaces and transport infrastructure such as roads, footpaths and cycle paths.

Adequate flood defences have been identified as key to the development going ahead but, in discussions with parish officials, it's not clear what form these will take or when they will be installed.

Flood risk
Bridge businesses are being contacted because one of the significant considerations for this and other nearby development sites is the risk of flooding caused by overtopping of the sea at the Bridge front quay. Although the risk is small, E&I says  it must be addressed, especially considering the latest climate change predictions and related sea level rise.

Exactly what is needed to mitigate that risk, however, has yet to be determined. Concept design work will start shortly. Initially, this will involve site investigations of the area to understand ground conditions, drainage and the existing layout of the area. This design work will be followed by detailed construction designs, with work beginning thereafter.

Design work
"Until the design work is undertaken, we are not able to share with you what the flood wall will look like or exactly where it will be located on the Bridge. Based on previous assessments, one option that will be explored further is between the two separated road areas – the road immediately outside of the Bridge shops and the two-way traffic roadway adjacent to the harbour (where currently there is a low chain separating the two roads), but this is just one possibility," E&I president Lindsay de Sausmarez has said.

"Much of the design will be informed by what is necessary to deliver an effective flood defence, and what is most cost-effective, but we are very conscious of the visual impact on the area and the importance of maintaining good access and parking for customers," she said.

The department has undertaken to continue to update businesses and parish officials as the work and possible defence concepts are worked up.

• Pictured above – how the Guernsey Press highlighted the flood defences' impact on Parc Le Lacheur going ahead.