The Water Board has tried to allay environmental fears

Worries have been expressed that diverting streams into Bests Quarry would cause environmental damage in the Talbot Valley.

But Water Board acting chief executive Andrew Redhead says a meeting with the St Andrews Douzaine last weekend helped to ease those fears.

He says the concerns of the Douzaine and the Societe centred on particular issues.

"There was a general concern about the Talbot Valley itself.

The aquatic environment is an important source to us and we recognise its importance to the community as a whole Andrew Redhead, Guernsey Water Board acting chief executive

"I know there have also been concerns expressed by the Societe about the various orchid fields downstream in the valley.

"But we were able to point out to the Douzaine that we will be managing the filling of the quarry and the use of the water from the reservoir in a very sympathetic manner with the environment."

Mr Redhead added: "We share concern about the environment and we will make sure we do everything we can to safeguard the aquatic environment.

'Healthy state'

"It is an important source to us and we recognise its importance to the community as a whole."

Mr Redhead said members of the Douzaine had been shown around the quarry site and an explanation had been given to them as to the way the reservoir was being filled with water.

"We have started to fill the reservoir and at present the water in it is three to four metres deep.