A petition signed by almost two thousand people was handed to Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq ahead of the today’s States meeting, as Alderney residents continue to try and force a decision on fixing their island’s runway.
Ian Taylor from Riduna Radio said he wanted to highlight that the current runway isn’t suitable anymore and could be dangerous for Alderney’s economy and, more importantly, people’s safety, especially when the weather is bad.
It’s a danger to locals and visitors to the island, and could have large impacts on the medical cover and treatment available for Ridunians, he said.
“We set up the petition in December, and we’re seeking for the states of Guernsey to start immediate work on the reconstruction of the Alderney runway. Basically, it’s dilapidated.
“It’s dangerous. In winter it gets shut if there’s lots of rain. If the runway should close, if the CAA come along and condemn it, we then have 2000 people stuck on a rock! People cannot attend hospital. Many vaccine services can’t work, and people will die!
“You’ve got people on Alderney that contribute taxes to Guernsey. We’re not asking for the world. There was a £24 million budget put aside. We believe the best thing to do is to put that £24m in escrow and allow the States of Alderney to get on with the project in conjunction with Guernsey Ports, and start the project now, because it’s going to take 18 months, roughly, from saying ‘let’s get going’ to actually putting a spade in the ground, and that’s 18 dangerous months.”
There’s not much time left politically to get this over the line before Guernsey’s election in une.
The States of Deliberation are meeting this week and again later this month. The next meetings where any political decisions can be made won’t be before the middle of July, when a new States of Guernsey has been elected.
Mr Taylor says the approaching deadline for making decisions during the final weeks of this political term will cause complications if it doesn’t get through the States in a timely manner.
“I’m hoping that the amendments put forward by the Alderney reps and by Yvonne Burford help it push forward,” he said.
“We don’t want a new swanky terminal. We want our runway digging up as it is, and put back down as it is, and then use short take-off and landing aircraft. We don’t need ATRs and all that kind of thing.
“My concern is that this, particularly this week, it will get to be Friday afternoon before it goes forward. Then there’s, I believe there’s only one more states meeting left, and then if it doesn’t get done, then we’re back to the beginning. Start all over again!
“I think you’ve got to use people power to make it happen. I’m sending a copy of the petition to Lord Ponsonby. I’m also sending a copy to His Majesty the King. They will go off tomorrow. I’m hoping to use people-power to push downwards to make this happen, because it has to happen, because people are going to die.”
