Open air diving board moves closer to being saved

The States issued a removal notice for the diving board in February because of health and safety fears

An open air diving board in Guernsey will move one step closer to being saved, after work to ensure it meets health and safety standards begins this week.

Vive La Vallette (VLV), which operates the Bathing Pools in St Peter Port, said several local companies had teamed up to increase the pool's depth by removing silt and rubble which had accumulated under the board.

A spokesperson said VLV will also undertake a review to tackle leakage from the pool so that the water depth under the previously-condemned diving board remained at safe levels at low tide.

Campaigner Ady Sarchet said the change of heart had been a "tour de force illustration of everything great about this island".

The redeveloped Bathing Pools facilities won a major architecture award last year

Mr Sarchet said it illustrated "the kindness of strangers", openness of the government and "epic support" from the business community.

The States issued a removal notice for the diving board at the award-winning pools in February because of health and safety concerns.

It halted the removal however after a public outcry and a demonstration against the proposals.

'Game changer'

Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez, President of the Committee for the Environment and Infrastructure, said she was "so heartened by the community support" for the "unique and much-loved" diving board.

She also praised the "incredible generosity" of local businesses, who donated their "time, effort, resources and significant expertise".

De Sausmarez said it was "a real game changer" which would reduce the time it would take to complete the work and improve what could be achieved.

"I remain very hopeful that together we will be able to make the area safe enough to reopen the diving platform in time for the summer months and enhance the Ladies' Pool more generally."