- Islanders don’t need to wear protective face masks while walking or working near the potentially contaminated Esplanade car park
- Developers deny claim from group over health of public
- The site is currently being excavated to make way for the Jersey International Finance Centre
ISLANDERS do not need to wear protective face masks while walking or working near the potentially contaminated Esplanade car park, developers have said.
The States-owned Jersey Development Company, which is responsible for the project, have given reassurances that the public have nothing to fear from passing close to the site after environmental campaigners Save Our Shoreline Jersey (SOSJ) recommended that free face masks should be made available.
The site is currently being excavated to make way for the Jersey International Finance Centre, and SOSJ has raised concerns that some site workers were wearing special suits and equipment.
6 – The number of office blocks proposed for the site
200,000 – The amount of office space in square feet former Treasury Minister Philip Ozouf said would have to be pre-let before work could begin. Senator Maclean said this was a mistake
13 – The number of prospective tenants supposedly in talks to move into the development
16,000 – The square footage to be taken by Swiss bank UBS, with the option of a further 7,000 sq ft
1,200 – The number of people who have signed a petition to halt the development
£50 million – The amount the JDC estimate the development could return to the Treasury Department
They have now called for the Health Minister to make disposable face masks available for anyone who passes the area.
In a statement, SOSJ said: ‘Workers needing to wear special clothing and breathing equipment indicates that the public should also be protected.
‘We have also issued a warning to residents, commuters and others visiting the area.’
However, Lee Henry, the JDC’s managing director, said that the public did not need face masks and that the project was proceeding in accordance with best practice.
He explained that the site contained air- and dust-monitoring stations, the results from which are reviewed every day and independently checked every week.
Other measures include dampening down excavated material and covering it to ensure that no dust escapes into the atmosphere.
Lorries will also have their wheels washed before transporting covered loads of excavated material to La Collette.
And contaminated matter, which may contain asbestos or other potentially harmful substances, will be tested before being placed in specially lined and sealed cells.
Mr Henry, who said that the JDC expected between four and five per cent of the site to be contaminated, said: ‘Save Our Shoreline Jersey has been against this project from day one and have opposed it on a number of fronts, whether that be financial, environmental or about making holes in the sea wall.
‘This is obviously just the latest objection that they have.
‘We are carrying out these works in accordance with best practice.
We have an independent firm of environmental professionals working on this and there are various mitigation measures in place that are being followed.
‘Ultimately, I think, questions are being raised about why construction personnel have protective clothing and passers-by do not.’
Mr Henry explained that it was only those working in close proximity to the excavation site who needed protective clothing and face masks.
‘Passers-by who aren’t in such close proximity are protected by site hoardings and are further protected by the measures used on site, which means that there isn’t a risk of them being affected,’ he added.
