The States of Alderney asked the previous Policy & Resources Committee in Guernsey for permission to spend £800,000 on a replacement. It was then delivered to the island in January last year.
Concerns were raised in December 2021, by the Alderney Representatives in the States’ Assembly: Alex Snowdon and Steve Roberts. They were critical of the States of Alderney’s General Services Commission who has responsibility for the crane, after they said it had been left out in all weather conditions for the entire year.
Pictured: The crane is now stored at Fort Grosnez, near Braye Harbour.
The crane at Braye Harbour has wheels specifically so it can be stored appropriately when the weather is bad. Mr Snowdon said this is now being done and a storage facility has been constructed at Fort Grosnez.
“The cost of the new crane is nearly one-million pounds: benefits of the crane include wheels instead of tracks, so it can be easily driven off the quay and put into storage when not in use,” he said.
“I am pleased to see the Alderney Harbour crane is now being stored in Fort Grosnez, close to the quay.
“Recently we have seen the crane remain on the commercial quay when the island was hit with storms and relentless sea spray from waves hitting the breakwater, this would of course decrease the lifespan of the crane as corrosion accelerates.”
Pictured: Concerns had been raised that sea water and high winds would corrode the crain.
Mr Snowdon said the crane clearly needs to be protected because it is essential infrastructure.
“[There is the added] risk of being a single point of failure if the crane breaks down again, which has happened in the past.
“This impacted vital freight and food deliveries to the island, therefore ending up requiring a mobile crane being sent from Jersey to cover the service from the Harbour Authority on behalf of the States of Alderney at high cost and delay to the public.
“Hopefully, the new storage facilities will ensure the crane doesn’t rust away before our eyes and provides an area for crucial maintenance,” he said.