Experts to visit Alderney for runway review

Experts including runway construction specialists, archaeologists, and soil contamination advisors are to visit

Experts in a range of fields are to visit Alderney to carry out investigations into the island's proposed airport improvements.

The experts will include airport runway construction specialists, archaeologists, and soil contamination advisers.

The visits form part of a review into the overall scope and design of proposed refurbishments to the island's runway.

In July plans for the runway extension were deemed "unviable and unaffordable", when the budget increased by more than 50%.

A spokesperson for Guernsey Ports said airfield specialists RPS Consulting (RPS) had been appointed to provide estimates for options that "focus on reconstructing the existing runway... but not replacing the airport buildings".

"As part of this work, one of the company’s engineers will be in the island this week, to gain a better understanding of the main logistical requirements for the project," Ports said.

Experts from Arcadis will look at soil contamination caused by using fire-fighting foam in the past, it said.

Their findings will help RPS set the project costs, Ports said.

'Scope and design'

Archaeologists will begin an excavation of a prehistoric barrow just outside the current airfield, at La Houguette de la Taille later this month, before the winter.

Ports said: "Although the overall scope and design of the project is now being reviewed, it is anticipated that such a review is likely to be a requirement of any future works.

"The States of Guernsey archaeologist has therefore prepared the written scheme of investigation, which proposes excavating the barrow."

They will also carry out a "written scheme of investigation" of German sites that date from World War Two.