The Channel Island’s Civil Engineering Contractor
Weather is the biggest issue for La Vallette Work
(Guernsey Press, Friday 6th January 2012, Pg 7; Author – Juliet Pouteaux)
(The following article was written by the Guernsey Press covering the work underway at La Vallette cliff face to improve access to the Guernsey Aquarium and the Underground Military Museum, increase visibility of the museum from the road and to reduce the risk from rock falls. The main contractor for this project is Geomarine.)
Rock – Catch netting has started to go up on the coastal side of La Vallette, as workers from Geomarine move onto the next stage of the project to stabilise the cliff.
The work started in October and Environment said there had so far been no surprises.
“The work has progressed well and is on schedule” a spokesmwoman said.
About 16 metres of scaffolding was put up outside the Guernsey Aquarium so Geomarine could install soil retention matting. It has been fixed to the cliff with soil pins up to four metres long.
A rock catch fence has also been put in place.
“Most of the challenges (workers have faced) were presented by high winds and heavy rain, which slowed work down, but other than this the installation has gone to plan,” the spokeswoman said.
This part of the work should be complete within two weeks.
A post-Second World War bank in front of the privately-owned underground military museum has been removed to allow pedestrians easy access to the attraction.
“It is hoped this improved access, together with the increased visibility of the museum from the road, may help increase visitor numbers,” she said.
The concrete canopy outside the museum has also been extended and along with the rock catch netting, should reduce the risk from rock falls.
The banks will be regarded and planted and a new path in stalled before the museum reopens in March.
A high fence has now been installed close to the Aquarium to stop people being hurt by rock falls.
“There is no plan to net this area of the cliff – this is partly due to the heavy cost, but also because of the significant visual impact on the landscape,” the spokeswoman said.
The installation of rock catch netting should be completed by 24 January.
The final stage of the work will then start at the rear of the Aquarium.
“The rear entrance to the Aquarium has a steep, very exposed, highly weathered and actively eroding cliff face above it,” the spokeswoman said.
“There have been rock falls from the cliff in this area.”
A catch fence will be built and the rock face will be netted.
This work should be finished at the start of March.
