Ports of Jersey is seeking to progress plans for Gorey Pier that will eventually involve the removal of the “failing” landing stage and stabilisation of the listed structure.
Ports has submitted a planning application to enable “intrusive” structural investigation works.
The pier’s landing stage has been closed since 2023, following extensive inspections, surveys and tests undertaken after Royal Engineers raised safety concerns in 2022.
Ports has previously cited “significant” structural deterioration, which has also been found in the former terminal building at the end of the pier
In the cover letter accompanying the application, MSPlanning director John Nicholson explained that “the first stage in better understanding the work required to the pier is a series of intrusive ground investigations, which are proposed for the entire length of the structure”.
Ports said it had been continuing to survey and monitor the pier arm and pier head since the landing stage closure.
Public Service Obligations Manager, Ande Vibert, explained: “This work has included wave modelling, LIDAR scans, bathymetric surveys and regular crack monitoring. The resulting data allows us to analyse movement within the structure so we can plan how to stabilise it.
“The next stage is for more intrusive site investigations and following competitive tender, UK company Terra Firma are confirmed as the contractor to undertake this work. This will include drilling boreholes and trial pits along the pier.”
If planning permission is granted, there will be some minor restrictions on access to the pier for short periods while the investigative work is underway.
This will inform the best methods to use to remove the landing stage and stabilise the pier, which is due to be outlined in a later planning application.