States to explore funding Alderney runway work

A report is expected to return to the States by the end of 2025

An agreement has been made to explore fund improvements to Alderney's airport runway by Guernsey deputies.

Guernsey's Policy & Resources Committee (P&R) will work alongside Alderney States to finalise a proposal and expect to bring it to the assembly before the end of this year.

It is not yet known how much the plans will cost or what the development will look like.

Alderney States member Alex Snowdon said: "It's important we don't have any delays with the Alderney runway and we move forward because it is end of life and in a critical condition potentially so we have got to really make sure that project happens."

More than £2m has been spent on repairs to the runway over the last decade and in January Guernsey's Policy and Resources Committee (P&R) confirmed the project must proceed.

And last month Guernsey's most senior politician Deputy Lyndon Trott called for a "radical rethink" of the current plans.

P&R, which is also working alongside the States' Trading Supervisory Board, will need to assess the feasibility, costs and timescales to extend the lifespan of the current runway and airport infrastructure.

P&R will also need to investigate the feasibility of re-establishing a route network between Guernsey, Jersey, Southampton and Alderney.