Alderney runway plans 'unviable and unaffordable'

Alderney runway improvements costs have increased by 50%, with estimates now reaching £37m

Plans for Alderney's runway extension are "unviable and unaffordable" after the budget increased by more than 50%, Guernsey's Policy and Resources (P&R) says.

The committee said the best bid to come out of the tender process would cost £37m, compared to the original budget of £24.1m.

P&R said the "large difference" meant the project no longer met its "objectives under the original business case".

Nigel Vooght, from the States of Alderney, said he was "disappointed" the costs had risen as it would "inevitably cause further delays", but welcomed P&R's proposal to "seek constructive solutions".

Disappointment and delays

P&R said it recognised the "importance of maintaining suitable airlinks to Alderney" and would "revisit options for a smaller scale and more affordable solution".

It said it also wanted to open talks with the States of Alderney to understand how the island could "contribute financially" to the runway redevelopment.

The States of Alderney said it had pledged £3.5m towards the original budget because of "the importance of its lifeline air routes", as well as the "likely upturn in the island’s economy" from having a longer runway and savings to Guernsey States-owned airline Aurigny.

Mr Vooght said: "The States of Alderney is unanimously agreed that the project is absolutely vital to the future of this island and the bailiwick economy.”