A solution will have to be found for fixing Alderney’s runway by the end of this year after yet another passionate plea for action from the smaller island found support from the States of Guernsey.
After hours more debating the topic and a petition calling for action being handed over earlier this week, Guernsey’s politicians have agreed they won’t wait until a wider report on the relationship between the two islands, before any work is carried out at Alderney Airport.
The agreement reached today means work to find a solution will now start, with a plan back before the States of Guernsey by the end of this year.
The focus will be on a cheaper, practical runway, suitable for smaller planes.
Guernsey will also look at ways of ensuring better air links between all the Channel Islands and Southampton.
Work to redevelop Alderney airport’s terminal building, fire station, and runway has already been agreed by the States of Guernsey with a budget set. However, when the project went to tender, the cheapest contractor was £13million over the maximum budget allowed.
The States of Guernsey has said the work must cost no more than £24.1m and work will now continue to try and find a way to deliver the essential work within that budget.
To ensure that happens, Alderney’s two political representatives in Guernsey lodged three amendments against Policy and Resources plan to delay the work while the 1948 Agreement was re-examined.
Other deputies spoke in support of the Alderney duo’s efforts, also lodging amendments to try and secure the work within this term of government.
Today’s States debate focused on the Alderney airport situation with amendments being added to the debate through the day.
The full voting records can be viewed HERE.
How deputies left it
With debate concluding, and votes cast, Guernsey’s government agreed to urgently address the unsafe Alderney Airport runway, aiming for a solution by December 2025.
Guernsey will now work closely with Alderney on a cost-effective repair, which will suit smaller planes, like the twin otter aircraft that Aurigny plans to ‘damp lease’.
The new plan will also explore better air links across the Channel Islands and to Southampton.