QUESTIONS over how long “unsightly” temporary structural bracing will be in place at Gorey Pier have been raised by boat owners following the removal of the landing stage.
Gorey Boat Owners Association chair Barry Faudemer said the organisation was focused on wider discussions between government, Ports of Jersey, the parish and the community regarding a “vision” for future improvements to the ageing structure and surrounding area.
His comments follow work by Ports of Jersey to ensure the long-term safety and stability of Gorey Pier that has included the removal of the landing stage, which was deteriorating and had been closed completely since 2023.
The project saw the removal of the upper deck and support pillars, as well as the installation of temporary structural bracing from the lower deck to the original pier structure.
Ports has said that the work forms part of an “improvements programme”, stating that the landing stage removal “supports safer harbour operations for an interim period of time while longer term plans for Gorey Pier are developed”.
In an update last week, the States-owned entity noted that – as part of the initial phase – it had also committed to resurface the pedestrian walkway.
Speaking to the JEP, Mr Faudemer said he felt the project “has gone as we anticipated”.
“What we are now focused on is developing a vision for what should come next, because leaving it with the very unsightly steel supports is obviously not something that everybody wants long term,” he said.
He noted that this entailed “a much wider discussion, with the community, with government, with Ports of Jersey and the parish”.
Mr Faudemer also said that Ports had been “receptive” to efforts to try to “breathe life into Gorey Harbour”, citing the establishment of the seasonal harbour attendant role earlier this year.
Harbourmaster Captain Bill Sadler said that he was “really pleased” with how Ports’ relationship with the GBOA had evolved “and also with the parish”.
He said: “Ports of Jersey aren’t going to get in the way of anyone’s ideas in terms of trying to develop Gorey.
“If somebody comes along with a good plan, which is costed and it’s funded elsewhere, then Ports of Jersey would support that.”
Outlining the current situation, Captain Sadler said: “Gorey Pier needed to be stabilised.
“The structure was in danger of structural collapse, so the important thing was to secure that structure to make it safe and we have done that.”
Reflecting on the temporary supports, he noted that they had an engineering lifespan of around five years and were “not a permanent solution”.
Captain Sadler acknowledged that Ports had a number of projects in the pipeline that would require attention but stressed that “that doesn’t mean that we’re going to ignore Gorey”.
He also cited the seasonal harbour attendant position as an example of the progress that was being made in the area and noted plans to add some summer pontoons in 2027.
“It will be something for visitors to go on to provide a bit better access.”
