QUEEN’S Valley and Val de la Mare reservoirs will reopen on Saturday following damage caused by Storm Ciarán.
Both reservoirs were closed the day before the storm hit the Island and remained closed for two weeks as uprooted trees made footpaths impassable.
Jersey Water chief executive Helier Smith paid tribute to the efforts of those who had cleared trees at both sites safe.
He said: “We are pleased to be able to reopen the reservoirs to the public from this weekend; we know how much Islanders value these open spaces and we have appreciated the support and understanding we have received from so many while we have been forced to remain closed.”
Mr Smith added: “Jersey Water employees, tree surgeons and the team at Jersey Trees for Life have worked tirelessly since the storm, in very wet and windy weather conditions, to make sure the reservoirs are safe again for people to use. Even though both are now back open for the public to enjoy, there are areas set back off the footpaths where trees have come down and we ask people to avoid these.”
But while the public will be able to visit both reservoirs, some areas of the Val de la Mare arboretum remain inaccessible while maintenance work continues.
Alex Morel from Jersey Trees for Life commented: “When people visit the arboretum, they will notice considerable damage to all of our collections. We have had to restrict access to certain areas where our tree surgeons are still working. These areas are not safe and will be signposted.
“We want to thank our team and the volunteers who have been helping to clear the paths. While we have been hugely saddened by the losses, we will be planting new specimen trees in the new year,” she said.
