THE landing stage at Gorey Pier has had to be temporarily closed after an inspection by Royal Engineers revealed it was unsafe.
Ports of Jersey are yet to confirm exactly what is wrong with the stage, although it is understood that there are multiple cracks throughout the concrete structure.
Mark Green, the skipper of Le Bulotier, said the area – which is used regularly by fishermen – had been visibly damaged for several years.
‘It’s been broken for quite a while – the concrete is all cracked. There is one really bad crack down the south end that you can see sunlight through.’
He also expressed concerns over how long the potential safety issues had existed – saying that a few months before the closure, the pier had been the location for a boat blessing service.
The blessing, led by the Rev Jeff Wattley, saw a large group of parishioners, crew members from several organisations – including the RNLI, the Jersey Fire and Rescue Service, the Jersey Lifeboat Association and SNSM Carteret – and a live band gather on and around the platform.
A Ports of Jersey spokesperson said: ‘The landing stage at the end of Gorey Pier has been temporarily closed following an inspection by the Royal Engineers, who have been in Jersey surveying civil engineering structures.’
They added: ‘Their initial report has recommended this temporary closure while engineers determine the full extent of the work needed to make the landing stage safe. Affected harbour users are being contacted directly.
‘Islanders can still walk to, or fish at, the end of the pier.’
Mr Green said: ‘It is going to be a real pain unless they [Ports] can sort something out quick, so hopefully they have a plan that can be put into action as soon as possible.’
Harbour problems
– In 2000, a large landslide resulted in the closure of the road to Bonne Nuit Harbour for two years
– In 2006, access to Bouley Bay Pier was closed to the public because of the danger of rocks falling from an unstable headland
– In 2011, the pier at Grève de Lecq was closed while blast works were carried out on a dangerous section of cliff
