Landslip damaged Clarence Battery steps reopen

The rebuilt steps connect St Peter Port to a popular coastal walking trail

Guernsey's Clarence Battery steps have reopened to the public for the first time in four years.

It follows seven months of construction work to restore the safety of pathway at La Vallette after it was closed due to a landslip in March 2020.

The States said extensive works were carried out to stabilise the rock faces and reinstate the steps with a new design following the original route.

The completion of the work restores the coastal link between St Peter Port and the island's popular walking route to Fermain Bay and east and south coastal cliff paths.

Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez, President of the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure (E&I), described the project as "anything but routine".

She said the committee was "delighted to be able to complete this major project" which she was "sure will be welcomed by islanders and visitors alike".

Design improvements include a concealed drainage system, while the accessibility of the steps has also been upgraded with level surfaces and new railings.

Helen Bonner-Morgan, Vive La Vallette operations director, said she was "grateful to all those that have worked hard" to restore a "wonderful gateway" to the south coast cliffs.

The turning circle and diagonal parking have also been reinstated in the area with further tree planting set to be carried out over the rest of the year.

Other parking around the nearby bathing pools will be restored from two to one-hour limits.