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Plans have been released for a £5m project that will include the demolition of the ‘ageing’ Albert Pier Terminal and the construction of 24-hour access berthing pontoons along the pier.
Ports of Jersey's proposals will also see the addition of 20 berths in the other marinas for the use of local boat owners, marine traders and sea charter operations.
New 24-hour access berthing pontoons alongside the Albert Pier, will enable some some of the larger vessels currently berthed in Jersey to be relocated, thereby, creating greater flexibility within the port and marinas.
Removing the Albert Pier Terminal, which Ports of Jersey said is now beyond repair and only used for a short period of time during the year, will create temporary space for contractors to work without impacting harbour operations.
Pictured: The Albert Pier Terminal is now beyond repair and only used for a short period of time during the year.
Passenger ferry operator, Manches Illes Express has already moved its entire operation to the Elizabeth Terminal.
The refurbishment and demolition programme is set to cost £5million and will be entirely funded by Ports of Jersey, with no financial support from the Government.
Channel Islands based contractor Geomarine, which is part of the Garenne Construction Company, has been appointed to undertake the work. The company has carried out a number of projects in recent years on behalf of Ports of Jersey, including the stabilising of Greve de Lecq Pier in 2018, the refurbishment of the Fishermen’s Pontoons at La Collette in 2013 and the dredging of St Aubin’s Harbour in 2012.
“We’d hoped to start work on this project last winter, but our proposals were put on hold for 12 months while we focused our efforts in dealing with the Coronavirus pandemic,” Group Capital Projects Director for Ports of Jersey, Steve Tanner, said.
“We have consulted and engaged extensively with our commercial operators and leisure users who have welcomed the plans and recognise the opportunities and benefits this reconfiguration of the Albert Pier will bring to leisure marine community”.
Pictured: 24-hour access pontoons will be created along the pier.
If the plans are approved, work could start before spring in order to minimise disruption to harbour users.
The project is not expected to be completed until summer 2021 but this should not affect the boating season as existing pontoons 4 and 5 on the Albert Pier will continue to be used to accommodate visiting and local vessels.
Likewise, Search and Rescue assets currently berthed on the pontoons will not be affected.
Ports of Jersey said the Albert Pier project was an “important investment and part of the commitment to continue to invest in critical infrastructure to ensure the Harbour is able to meet the needs of the Island into the future”.
“Despite the impact of covid-19 and the challenging times we face, the need for investment in St Helier Harbour has not changed,” CEO for Ports of Jersey, Matt Thomas, said.
“Ports of Jersey is committed to investing in our harbour infrastructure to support the resilience of the Island’s lifeline services and supply chain, as well as the future sustainability of our maritime industries.
“We look forward to sharing our broader investment plans for the development of the harbour, when the current demands of the pandemic have passed.”
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