Views sought on Gunsite defences

09 September 2015

The Transport and Technical Services Department (TTS) is asking for views on a scheme to raise the sea wall near the Gunsite slipway.

TTS recently announced proposals to raise the sea wall between the Gunsite slip and Le Perquage car park by a foot (0.3m), subject to planning permission.

The Department is inviting people to see and comment on the proposals next Monday 14 September.

• 4-6pm mock-up of the proposed wall at the Gunsite slip and the Perquage car park and TTS officers available to discuss the project and answer questions

• 7-8pm opportunity to talk to the Minister for Transport and Technical Services and TTS officers at a drop-in at L’Hermitage village hall (pedestrian access from Total Sports car park)

The Beaumont area has been extensively flooded on many occasions when there is a high tide and stormy conditions. Properties in the area have been damaged and there has been disruption to traffic.

TTS has tried to minimise the flooding by using extra-large sand bags and even trialled a temporary inflatable barrier. The department considers these methods are labour intensive and only offer partial defence.

After extensive investigations, TTS is proposing to raise and reshape the wall to deflect the waves back into the sea, to reduce the frequency of water coming on to the promenade. 

It's a common method of sea wall construction throughout the world. The new wall would be built in a similar style to the old one.