The organisation has faced criticism from heritage campaigners since it installed 114 metres of metal and plastic fencing around Gibraltar Rock last month following concerns about rockfalls.
It has variously been described as resembling the perimeter fence of an internment camp or prison, and campaigners, including Advocate Christopher Scholefield from Save Jersey’s Heritage, called for Ports to cover it with climbing plants to soften the visual impact.
And the project was this week further criticised by Environment Minister Steve Luce in an open letter backing the JEP’s Our Island: Keeping Jersey Special campaign, which highlights the use of inappropriate signs and street furniture.
Today, Ports announced that the fence’s overhang would be removed and the fence lowered by a further one foot. Shrubs will also be planted with the hope that once they have gown the fence can be removed.
‘My first reaction to the concerns expressed by Deputy Luce… is that he is correct and justified in his thinking,’ said Doug Bannister, Ports of Jersey chief executive.
‘Advocate Scholefield, among others, has also provided feedback remarking on the ‘prison like’ quality of the structure. For me, I believe Ports of Jersey could have done better on this project,’ he added.
Mr Bannister continued: ‘On the surface, it is a fairly straightforward project. We have a dangerous area liable to potential falling rock, and we need to protect the public and property safety. Existing warning measures were not working adequately, and we had fencing in our stores for airport usage.
‘Having received feedback and speaking with the Constable, we are now adjusting the fence by reducing its overall height and considering appropriate landscaping to conceal it as best we can while still meeting our public safety requirements. In time, we hope that the landscaping will enable us to remove the fence.
‘However, I concur that these actions should have been considered prior to the course of action we undertook, rather than afterwards.’
Ports say the cost of the work will be ‘fairly minor’ and will be funded from the maintenance budget set aside for the initial £27,000 project.
Mr Bannister stressed that public safety was ‘hugely important’ to the organisation but pledged to ‘do better to consider the public realm’ when considering future projects.
‘I look forward to working with the minister next year in developing an improved approach. I know we won’t always get it right, but we will get better,’ he said.
