More work planned to secure future of diving board

The removal of the diving board at La Vallette was halted following a public outcry

More work is to be carried out in the hope an open air diving board in St Peter Port, Guernsey, can be saved from closure.

The States issued a removal notice in February for the only remaining diving board at La Vallette pools over health and safety concerns.

The removal of the board at the Ladies Pool was halted following a public outcry and a demonstration against the proposals.

Now the States of Guernsey has commissioned the removal of bedrock from the pool floor in an effort to meet the required depth to allow the platform to remain.

The States has commissioned a team led by F Watson & Son Ltd which undertook voluntary work in April to remove silt and rubble from the pool floor.

It said volunteers were also able to demonstrate that the bedrock could feasibly be removed.

'Positive outcome'

A States spokesman said: "Achieving sufficient depth would be a significant step towards retaining and reopening the diving platform.

"Further steps are being taken to address safety concerns which are not related to the depth of the pool, including signage, so that a package of measures can be presented to the Health and Safety Executive for it to consider whether the prohibition notice can be removed."

Damon Hackley, director of operations for economy, infrastructure, environment and culture, added: "Thanks to the passion and proactivity of community volunteers, we are much closer to reaching a positive outcome regarding the diving board at the Ladies Pool than we were earlier this year.

"While there remains a good deal of work to do, including the production of appropriate operating procedures, the States of Guernsey will continue to work closely with the community in an effort to find an acceptable outcome."