It was one of the most controversial aspects of the early waterfront development, becoming a focal point for Islanders’ frustrations with the then Waterfront Enterprise Board, who were developing the reclaimed land on the southern edge of town.
The Clock was commissioned in 1996 as part of a scheme to regenerate the area. Nearby warehouses had been converted into the maritime museum so it was thought the Clock – which is a full-scale replica of a section of a steamboat named the Ariadne, would add to the nautical theme and attract tourists.
At the time, the Guinness Book of Records listed it as the world’s largest steam clock.
Although it was originally steam-powered, and would blow and whistle, it was reportedly beset with problems very early on: parts broke and were difficult to replace; and operating costs allegedly made it uneconomical. It was later ‘converted’ to electricity, but has again stopped.
So now the Ports of Jersey is deciding what to do with it, with Islanders’ suggestions ranging from turning it into a toilet to a McDonald’s drive-thru – but Town Constable Simon Crowcroft is pushing ahead with plans for the Parish to take it on.
Despite strong objections from all election candidates at this week’s St Helier hustings, Mr Crowcroft says he is ready to go all the way to the States, if necessary, to save the clock:
“My interest is around three points: protecting the open space, saving a water feature of which there aren’t many, and the heritage represented by the Steam Clock itself. For those three reasons I think someone needs to step in to look after the site. The clear issue will be the expenditure involved. I don’t think the £30,000 which has been quoted is what the Parish will spend, we have a very good reputation for doing things like this efficiently. If we need to do it to safeguard the site, I would point to the massive savings I have made in the Parish budget. My record is of saving money for the Parish, of bringing rates down and protecting open space.”
He said that negotiations between the Parish and the Ports of Jersey were continuing, but if they failed to deliver the clock, then he was ready to take the issue to the full States assembly for a decision.