Repairs to storm damage at St Catherine

Repairs to the buttress that supports St Catherine’s breakwater are due to start on Monday (30^th September).

The area was damaged during Storm Ciaran and this was compounded by storm force winds which hit the north coast in February. Cracks ranging from 50mm to 150mm in width appeared, as well as some undermined stonework.

A comprehensive survey of the structure was conducted in March by UK-based storm defence specialists AECOM. They carried out geophysical and geomatic surveys of the slipway and breakwater, to determine what repairs were needed to safeguard the structure. The surveys incorporated drones, ground penetrating radar (GPR) and multi-channel analysis of surface waves (MASW).

AECOM found that the northern buttress is at greater risk of extended damage in the short term and requires immediate repair. Phase one of the work will focus on this buttress, where areas of facing stones have been dislodged, exposing the inner core infill. The large facing stones will be temporarily removed to enable access to stabilise the inner core of the structure.

As the breakwater is a Grade 1 listed structure, any repair or maintenance work needs to be agreed by Government’s planning, heritage and coastal defence teams. Ports of Jersey has consulted with the relevant departments to agree the repair methods and has been in touch with local user groups to keep them informed.

Geomarine will carry out the work, over a period of one to two weeks, during low water periods. The breakwater will remain open throughout the repair work, although there may be some access restrictions in the immediate working area.

Phase two of the work will focus on the repair and stabilisation of the slipway. Ports of Jersey is working with Government’s planning and heritage teams to assess the best method to future-proof this structure.