'Unjustifiable' runway upgrade delays criticised
BBCConcerns have been raised after a project to rebuild an island airport's runway were delayed.
The decision not to widen Alderney Airport's runway from 18m (59ft) to 23m (75ft) to meet regulatory guidelines and hold off on any work happening until 2028 has been criticised by islanders and aviation experts.
Giles Woodhouse, who travels from Alderney to the UK frequently, said the delay left question marks as to whether "living on this beautiful island was still viable".
Deputy Mark Helyar, President of the States' Trading Supervisory Board, said the project board was focused on delivering the government's direction to identify the lowest possible cost and most practical and pragmatic approach.
Earlier this year, plans to spend up to £24m on refurbishing the runway were passed by the States of Guernsey with the aim of starting the work in 2027.
Woodhouse, who is head of sales for clothing brand Gym Plus Coffee, said for work, medical or family and friends connections, the air service being functional was "absolutely vital".
He said he felt "resigned exasperation" when the delay was announced.
Woodhouse said the continued delays also led to questions about whether the project would actually happen.
"With no concrete dates, it just feels really unjustifiable," Woodhouse added.
Geoff Blyth, an Alderney resident and flying instructor, said the decision not to widen the runway could have a big impact on the population of the island.
Blythe said if the Director of Civil Aviation did not accept the safety case put forward regarding the decision to keep the runway 18m wide, it could impose "restrictions when we have inclement weather".
The pilot added this would mean a lot more flight cancellations leading to "lost revenue" and a big impact on the hospital because of "wasted appointments".
"That's not good for anybody," Bylthe said.
The runway's current width of 18m is below the minimum 23m required for a runway longer than 800m (2,625ft) to achieve compliance with regulatory standards.
The States said "operations are currently permitted due to an 'alleviation' from the DCA" and the regulator had confirmed the alleviation could continue "provided a suitable safety case is presented" due to the type of aircraft which use the runway.
Jeannie Cameron, chairwoman of the Alderney Policy and Finance Commitee, said it was "incredibly frustrating" after delays dating back 10 years, a further delay of two years was being faced.
Cameron said a request was put forward to have an Alderney politician on the project's board so "we could have a voice but we were told no".
She added the States of Alderney "put forward two proposals which came in well under budget" of the initial £24 million plan.
"We still have not had a response to those," she said.
Of the decision not to widen the runway, Cameron said none of the politicians involved are airline or runway specialists so they needed to take advice.
Cameron said: "We need a timetable and the ability to ensure that those accountable are held to account."
Beth Chapman, community governor of St Anne's School, said the project's delay was "incredibly disappointing to hear".
Chapman added: "It needs to happen, it's just gone on and on and it can't carry on like this.
"Having an airline here isn't a luxury, it's a lifeline."
Heylar said the project board is "generally seeking regulatory alleviations where possible to minimise the amount of work needed".
"The project board is focussed on delivering the States direction which is to identify the lowest possible cost and most practical and pragmatic approach to maintain an operational aerodrome in Alderney," he added.
