PLANS have been unveiled to transform one of Jersey’s most flood-prone stretches of coastline with new sea defences and public space improvements – in what’s been described as the biggest project of its kind since the 1800s. James Jeune reports.
THE coastline from La Collette to La Grande Charrière Slipway has been identified as the Island’s “highest priority” area in need of enhanced defences against flooding, according to the Infrastructure Department.
The proposed Havre des Pas Coastal Flood Alleviation Scheme focuses on four zones: La Collette Gardens, the western and eastern sections of the Havre des Pas promenade and La Greve d’Azette Beach.
In addition to upgraded flood protection, the scheme also seeks to implement public realm improvements, including new promenades, cycle routes and landscaped coastal gardens.
The Department has said the work will “advance the line” by building new defences further out to sea with secondary setback defences.
“Construction would not be on the immediate existing coastal line and would mean coastal protection remains during construction and works would be away from existing properties along the coast,” it explained.
“The scheme will address the growing risk of wave overtopping and rising water levels. While the existing defences remain in good condition, the area has been identified as the Island’s highest priority for upgrades.”
Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan said that, once Islanders’ feedback had been received, “detailed” planning and design work could then take place.
“We want to not only protect the Island but enhance it – this is a great opportunity to do that.”
According to the Department, around 350 properties in the area are at risk from a 1 in 200-year flood event.
It has stated that, without intervention, this number could rise to approximately 1,000 properties by 2120 due to a projected rise in sea levels.
Mr Jehan said that the Department did not want to “frighten people”, but explained that there was also a need to be “responsible”.
“Because we know of the impending risks, we need to take action now rather than wait for something to happen.”
The scheme has been described as “the largest coastal defences project undertaken in Jersey since the 1800’s.
“We have got to invest in our infrastructure far more than we have in recent history,” Mr Jehan added.
“If you go back to the 1800s when the coastal defences were put in place, we owe a great debt of gratitude to those people who had the foresight to do that.”
According to the government’s Shoreline Management Plan published in 2020, climate change is predicted to cause rising water levels – leading to greater wave heights and “increased severity and occurrence of storms”.
“Recognition of the risks to Jersey’s coastal communities provides a long-term plan for resilience, allowing the coast to gradually adapt to future change, rather than reliance on reactive or piecemeal approaches to respond to climate change,” it states.
Islanders are being invited to have their say on plans, with a consultation running until 12 September.
In addition to the online consultation available through the gov.je website, drop-in sessions will be held at the Lido from 22 to 24 July.
