Guernsey's oldest RoRo ferry ramp to be inspected

The ramp allows for freight, passengers and vehicles to unload from ferries

One of the two ramps serving Guernsey's roll-on, roll-off ferries is to be fully inspected for the first time in 12 years.

The 650-tonne steel and concrete structure, known as Linkspan Number 1, is being inspected by civil engineers ahead of a potential refurbishment.

Guernsey Ports said the inspection will start on Wednesday and finish on Friday.

The ramp, built in 1987, is the port's oldest and was last inspected in 2011.

The harbour ramps in St Peter Port are used for loading and unloading freight, passengers and vehicles from ferries.

The work will be done by marine civil engineers Robert West Consulting Ltd with the Guernsey Ports dive team doing underwater survey work.

'Ascertain deterioration'

Guernsey Ports project manager Joe Armstrong, said: "The linkspan is in full operational use and is subject to regular inspection as part of an ongoing maintenance programme.

"At 36 years old, it will be surveyed thoroughly to ascertain the level of deterioration and how long we can extend its operational life.

"This inspection will enable a detailed assessment of its condition and its component parts.

"This will inform a detailed options appraisal which will be undertaken to determine the future options for the linkspan."

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