Flood defences on island an 'immediate priority'

Coastal defences have been mentioned before in Guernsey States' infrastructure programme

Plans for flood defences in Guernsey are an "immediate priority", a deputy has said.

Island coastal defences have been mentioned before in Guernsey States' infrastructure programme for several political terms.

Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez, president of the committee for the environment & infrastructure, said the defences would "enable much needed housing developments to progress".

She said she hoped the States would agree funding for this and an east coast flood defence strategy "more generally" through the 2025 budget.

Mrs de Sausmarez said the flood defences at the Bridge on the island were needed.

'Immediate priority'

A public hearing is set to take place in December which will hear about plans including flood defences at St Sampson and St Peter Port.

The planning brief for this hearing will be published in the coming weeks and will include a report which the States said would refresh proposals for the wider east coast area.

Mrs de Sausmarez said: "Flood defences at the bridge are an immediate priority because they enable much needed housing development to progress.

"However, looking at the bigger picture we also need to accelerate the east coast flood defence strategy more generally so that work on development plans can start without delay."

Deputy Lyndon Trott, president of the policy & resources committee, said protecting "lower lying and coastal land has consistently been recognised as a long-term infrastructure investment requirement by the States and has been agreed in principle for over a decade."

He said: "To give the next Assembly the very best chance to maximise synergies and plan funding and resource for the construction projects, the Policy & Resources Committee believes this Assembly should accelerate the flood defence preparatory work."

He added the development of a flood defence strategy for both harbours will require "further technical studies and surveys" to ensure a "proportionate response is designed, is affordable and is deliverable".

Mr Trott said the policy & resources committee has proposed a Government Work Plan allocation in the 2025 Budget.