Local engineers Geomarine are carrying out the work over the next few weeks. Some of the work will be done at night to take advantage of low spring tides. But the States are assuring the public that this is not expected to cause any disturbance.

The first phase of work will create a concrete base on the seabed along a missing section of the breakwater at the northwest edge of Longue Hougue, facing St. Sampson’s Harbour. This will gradually be built up before being finished using stone that was originally removed.

“The first stage is to create a concrete foundation, to form the base for a reinforced concrete wall that will gradually fill the gap in the breakwater,” said Guernsey Waste senior technical adviser, Rob Roussel.

“Then it will be faced with the same rock from the original breakwater, which has been stored since the opening was created. This will ensure that even though it is an engineered solution, once it is finished the new section will have the original appearance.” 

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Pictured: More than 50,000 tonnes of inert waste is dumped at Longue Hougue every year.

The site at Longue Hougue was approved for land reclamation in 1990. Once full – which is expected to be around two years from now – it will hold around three million tonnes of inert waste. 

The section at the southern end, where reclamation first began, is already home to the island’s waste transfer station and household waste and recycling centre as well as the abattoir.

Mr Roussel said anyone around the Bridge may notice the work, which will involve flood lights when construction is taking place at night.

“We don’t expect the work will cause any disruption in the area, but if anyone is disturbed by the works they can contact us,” he said.

You can contact Guernsey Waste on 221234 or alternatively you can email recycle@gov.gg.