The bridge leading to Castle Cornet will close to the public next month, as work begins on rebuilding it as part of a £6.2m project.

The castle, which is normally closed over the winter, will be shut for an extended period to allow the work to go ahead and is due to re-open in May next year – two months later than usual.

Contractors will build a temporary access bridge and crash deck beneath the current bridge to allow safe access to the site and protect the area under the bridge as it is demolished and rebuilt.

Pictured: Public access to the lighthouse and Castle Cornet will be stopped over winter.

Joe Armstrong, Project Civil Engineer for Guernsey Ports, said: “The installation of the temporary access bridge marks an important milestone as we move from planning into construction.

“Over the coming weeks, people will see the site take shape as [contractor] Geomarine establishes the infrastructure needed for the reconstruction.

“At the same time, the connection of temporary utilities will ensure essential services to Castle Cornet and the Castle Lighthouse are maintained throughout the project.”

Castle Cornet, the bridge and nearby parking area will close to the public on Monday 7 September when building works begin, with reopening planned for May 2027.

Access for businesses

Parking in the area will be “revised”, to allow contractors and other commercial vehicles enough access.

The viewing-only spaces overlooking St Peter Port will become 2-hour spaces so local businesses have adequate parking.

Mr Armstrong added: “It’s important to emphasise that the temporary bridge and scaffold are for contractors and emergency services only and will not provide public access to Castle Cornet or the breakwater.

Pictured: Car parking arrangements near the Castle Bridge will change.

“The bridge and the surrounding work area will be closed to the public, but access to all businesses on the Castle Emplacement will continue throughout the reconstruction period.”

Pre-construction works have been completed ahead of schedule, while engineers have already strengthened the 19th-century granite piers which support the bridge.

Mr Armstrong said strengthening the granite piers – which have been in place for more than 150 years – would help preserve “an important part of the bridge’s heritage”.