Airport to get £24m for runway refurbishment

Politicians have approved up to £24m of spending to refurbish Alderney Airport's runway.

Policy and Resources (P&R), in collaboration with the States of Alderney and the States Trading Supervisory Board, will now go out to tender for the work.

Deputies voted by 32 to three, with one abstention, to approve the spending.

P&R member Yvonne Burford said it was important the States approved the money now, so work could start in 2027.

Following the decision Burford said: "This work will need to be done in the summer if we hope to start by next summer, we really need to be getting on with that preparatory work now.

"If we had to come back to the States with the full business case later this year that would push it into 2028."

There was opposition to the spending from Deputy Simon Vermeulen, who argued Guernsey taxpayers should not be paying for a runway in Alderney.

"It's a very small population in Alderney if they want huge improvements, they should pay for it themselves."

Taxes in Alderney are used in a fiscal partnership with Guernsey, where local taxes pay for island-specific services, while major "transferred services" are funded by the States of Guernsey.

Currently the relationship between the States of Guernsey and States of Alderney is being reviewed as part of a new Bailiwick Commission, which is set to report back by the end of September 2027.

The States of Guernsey has agreed to contribute up to £500,000 towards the cost of the commission, Alderney contributed £15,000 while Chief Pleas has not contributed anything.

Vermeulen said: "That's Guernsey taxpayers' money going to Alderney's airport. We maintain a grass runway in Alderney, that's all we've got to do, and we spend £400,000 each year."

He said he was concerned that the tenders may come back over the approved £24m budget: "We've got a history of spending up to or over budget, and in some cases spending money and producing nothing for it."

The proposed work involves resurfacing and realigning the main asphalt runway and taxiway at the airport, which Guernsey officials warned may need to close for an "extended period" to complete the scheme in the shortest time.

The States of Alderney said the provision of alternative transport arrangements would be vital to minimising disruption.

Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk.