Channel Islands Live: 18 Januarypublished at 08:06 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2019
Bringing you the news, sport, travel and weather for the Channel Islands
Read MoreSummary
Election expenses case dropped by Attorney General
Road closed due to manhole covers coming out of ground
Jersey Water increases prices by nearly 4%
Mobile CT scanner brought in to tackle waiting times
Sark petition shows support for customs post
Updates on Thursday 17 January 2019
Channel Islands Live: 18 Januarypublished at 08:06 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2019
'Explosion' road to stay closed into Friday morningpublished at 17:35 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2019
A road which was closed because of an underground explosion will remain closed through the night and into Friday morning, police said.
Manhole covers were blown into the air by the incident - thought to have been a gas explosion - on Bagot Road in Jersey at about 12:00.
There are no reports of any injuries or damage to buildings or cars.
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End of twitter postSunniest day in Guernsey for two monthspublished at 17:21 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2019
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End of twitter postSuspected gas explosion closes Bagot Roadpublished at 16:06 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2019
TwitterDrivers are being warned of increased traffic in the area after a manhole cover incident - thought to be a gas explosion - closed Bagot Road.
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End of twitter postYear-on-year Guernsey unemployment fallspublished at 15:29 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2019
Hayley Westcott
BBC News OnlineA total of 293 islanders in Guernsey were unemployed at the end of December 2018 - 12 lower than December 2017.
However, the total number is 19 up on the end of the last quarter.
A further 367 people were registered as unemployed but had some work (casual or part-time) during the quarter.
Quote MessageGuernsey continues to have low unemployment, with a buoyant job seeker market. The reduction in the year-on-year figure and increase of people in training courses is particularly pleasing."
Deputy Michelle Le Clerc, President of the Committee for Employment and Social Security
Half of candidates 'may have broken law'published at 15:29 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2019
Forty-five politicians may have broken expenses rules, Jersey's attorney general says.
Read MoreWork to improve ‘Bravo’ taxiway at Jersey Airport startspublished at 15:21 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2019
Hayley Westcott
BBC News OnlineWork has started on essential improvements to the "Bravo" taxiway at Jersey Airport.
It's thought it will take up to three months to complete and involves the removal and replacement of a section of the current concrete taxiway - west of the main aircraft parking stands.
The £800,000 worth of work won’t affect operational activities, Ports of Jersey said.
Image source, Ports of JerseyPlat Douet School parents should use back entrancepublished at 15:04 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2019
TwitterParents of children at Plat Douet School are being urged to use the back entrance and park at the Waitrose car park at pick-up.
It follows a suspected gas explosion on Bagot Road, States of Jersey said.
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End of twitter postJersey road closed due to manhole covers problempublished at 14:24 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2019
Hayley Westcott
BBC News OnlineBagot Road is closed between the Bagot Inn and Plat Douet Road due to some manhole covers coming out of the ground, police have said.
Emergency services are on the scene carrying out tests to see what caused the issue.
People are being asked to avoid the area.
Officers added that parents picking their children up from Plat Douet School and Charlie Farley's Nursery are requested to make contact in relation to pick-up locations at 15:00.
Image source, GoogleLiberation sailings cancelled due to windpublished at 13:47 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2019
TwitterDue to localised windy conditions expected across the islands and St Malo port areas, all high speed sailing services on Friday have been cancelled.
Passengers are able to transfer to an extra service now being provided on Saturday.
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End of twitter postCT scanner brought in to help service demands in Guernseypublished at 13:02 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2019
Hayley Westcott
BBC News OnlineHealth and Social Care (HSC) has secured the use of a mobile CT scanner as part of a series of changes aimed at bringing down waiting times and improving the radiology service.
The department said the changes were in response to ever increasing demand for complex imaging at Princess Elizabeth Hospital - which is reflected within the UK and internationally.
The scanner was in action over the weekend and will be brought to the island for short periods when "necessary to help meet demands".
The mobile CT equipment, which is housed in a self-contained mobile trailer, will enable the on-island provision of the service where the patients have the contrast medium injected into a vein in their arm and the images are obtained within a few minutes.
The unit scanned about 70 cases over three days and patients appear to have been "very satisfied" with the service they have received, HSC said.
The hospital's existing CT scanner, which can undertake this vital work but at a much slower speed than the mobile unit, will be replaced in August.
Image source, States of GuernseyQuote MessageWaiting times for coronary artery disease will be shorter through the use of the mobile unit, and scans can be delivered faster and more efficiently through the use of our incoming permanent replacement."
Peter Rabey, Medical director, Health and Social Care
Jersey government prepares for no-deal Brexitpublished at 12:05 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2019
BBC Radio JerseyJersey's government claims it is taking all steps possible to make sure the island is ready to cope in case there's a no-deal Brexit.
Jersey politicians have met UK counterparts and representatives from some of island's largest companies behind closed doors to address how they'll respond to different scenarios.
It follows a week of meetings and seminars organised by the government on how Brexit could affect islanders' education, travel plans and business affairs.
The Director General of Home Affairs, Julian Blazeby says it's important to have these conversations now...
Jersey Water increases prices by nearly 4%published at 11:29 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2019
Hayley Westcott
BBC News OnlineFrom April, prices for water and standing charges will increase by 3.8%, Jersey Water has said.
The company said the increase is below the most recent inflation figure of 4.3% and is equivalent to 4p per day for the average household.
Helier Smith - Jersey Water’s chief executive, added for the past 20 years, Jersey Water has "applied a policy of limiting annual price increases to no more than inflation in all but two years".
Image source, Jersey Water"During that time, by applying this policy, the price of water has fallen in real terms by approximately 16% after inflation.
"We face continuous pressure on costs as we invest to comply with new legislation, manage water quality and enhance the resilience of the Island’s water supply infrastructure.
"However, we have been able to limit our price increases over the past two decades and again this year by focusing on efficiency to manage the impact on customer bills," he said.
The Company added it will consult with stakeholders on proposed measures to address any water quality and resource challenges and their impact on future charges.
Election expenses case dropped by Attorney Generalpublished at 10:59 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2019
Sarah Bailey
Broadcast Journalist, BBC Radio JerseyThe case against three Jersey election candidates accused of breaking the law on election expenses has been dropped - because it's thought 42 other candidates may have broken it too.
There are clear laws on how and when candidates have to prove how much they've spent on their campaigns, but the Attorney General said so many of them broke the laws that it wouldn't be fair to only prosecute three.
Deputies Scott Wickenden and Hugh Raymond and unsuccessful candidate Bernie Manning, were taken to court after questions emerged over how they filled in their expenses.
They were all accused of failing to declare campaign expenses and donations within 15 working days of the May 2018 election.
The case was ongoing but the Attorney General's department was made aware on Monday that 28 other candidates had also missed the deadline - and 13 of them had been elected.
Most, but not all of those candidates, did eventually submit their election expenses once the Judicial Greffier set an extended deadline.
Separately to those 28 though, it's thought an additional 17 candidates - five of whom were elected - gave a declaration within the deadline that doesn't comply with the law.
So that means up to 45 election candidates - 18 of whom make up the government - may have committed an offence.
The Attorney General said it would not be fair only to charge the original three candidates and not all of the others.
But he said the States and government of the island could be significantly impaired if he prosecuted them all - the punishment would usually involve any guilty candidate losing their seat.
Yellow weather warning for wind across islandspublished at 09:54 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2019
Hayley Westcott
BBC News OnlineWinds of force six can be expected across the islands, Jersey Met has said.
It added a yellow weather warning for wind is in place.
Image source, Jersey MetSark petition shows support for customs postpublished at 09:43 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2019
BBC Radio Guernsey
A petition asking for visitors to be able to arrive directly in Sark has received 147 signatures.
Currently, visitors have to go via another Channel Islands customs post - either Guernsey, Jersey or Alderney - to meet immigration and customs laws.
The chair of Sark's Chamber of Commerce says a customs post would help boost its economy.
The petition started by the chamber is asking for Maseline Harbour to be designated as a port of entry.
In a post on Facebook, external, it said the petition "demonstrates a genuine desire amongst a substantial number of Sark residents".
Sark has a population of about 500 people.
Plans for Sark children to study in Guernsey thrown outpublished at 09:34 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2019
John Fernandez
BBC Radio GuernseyPlans to send all children from Sark above the age of 13 to school in Guernsey have been thrown out by Chief Pleas.
The plans were pulled after criticism from conseillers about a lack of consultation with parents - leaving the future of secondary education in the small island up in the air once again.
Chair of the Education Committee in Sark, Conseiller Pauline Mallinson says it's a "shame" this has happened but now they will go away and consult with parents further.
He added arrangements will be in place for children who are 13 when the end of this school year comes.
Weather: Chilly with sunshine and a chance of showerspublished at 09:03 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2019
It will be chilly with spells of sunshine and the chance of a few showers.
These could contain hail or sleet.
Brisk winds will ease later.
Highs of 7C (44F).
Jersey:
Guernsey:
Winter storms damage Fort Clonque's electricity supplypublished at 09:02 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2019
BBC Radio Guernsey
Image source, Getty ImagesA historic fort in Alderney has lost its power after winter storms damaged the underground electricity supply.
The Landmark Trust, which rents out Fort Clonque in Alderney as a holiday home, said the cable supplying electricity can't be repaired until early spring.
It added that efforts to supply the fort with generators were also problematic as their variable output kept blowing the fuse board.
Fort Clonque was built in the 19th Century to protect the Channel Islands from capture by the French.
