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As part of the planning application to redevelop Elizabeth Harbour, submitted earlier this year, we’re carrying out a number of preliminary surveys in and around the harbour area.

The surveys are not expected to cause any disruption, but residents and businesses may notice some specialist machinery being operated around the area.  

Some of this work is required because Elizabeth Harbour was constructed in the late 1980s on reclaimed land. Ground investigation will inform the design of roads, pavements, buildings and other infrastructure for the new harbour, if planning approval is granted.

A series of sea water surveys and bat surveys have also been carried out as part of the environmental preparation for work on the first stage of the Harbour Master Plan.

Water has been tested to establish baseline data on levels of suspended sediment. This provides information which can be compared to the same areas after the required dredging, and then used to assess any impact of the work.

A water quality and light sensor was deployed into the sea from Havre des Pas to St Aubin. This work was done at high tide, mid-tide and low tide, during spring and neap tides, for six months.

Bats are vulnerable to disturbance through property development and the surveys were carried out at dusk and dawn. Any evidence of bats will prompt the development of mitigation strategies in conjunction with the Environment Department.

Harbour Master, Captain Bill Sadler, said: “We want to make sure there is as little disturbance as possible to our local wildlife when we start work, once planning consent has been granted. The Ecology team will apply for a licence to oversee construction, and working protocols will aim to keep any disruption to wildlife to a minimum.”

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at  harbourmasterplan@ports.je

As Islanders, our quality of life depends on connectivity, whether visiting friends and relatives, accessing healthcare and education, or going away on holiday. Our economy is built on our transport links. Our lifeline freight connections at St Helier Harbour handle 98% of all cargo entering the Island, including the food we eat, the clothes we wear and the materials we need to build, furnish and heat our homes.

With ageing infrastructure and freight activity at Elizabeth Harbour exceeding capacity, it is now more important than ever to prepare St Helier Harbour for the future. So we’ve developed a Master Plan that will secure the viability of our lifeline port by making it more efficient. This will increase the port’s capacity to handle freight, and provide an opportunity to free up space for facilities which will enhance the appeal of the harbours and create vibrant community spaces for Islanders and visitors to enjoy.

The Plan will be the biggest capital investment since Ports of Jersey’s incorporation in 2015. Previously a Government department, our incorporation enables us to continue to provide essential public services to the Island in a sustainable manner, and, as a self-financing entity, undertake major projects like this without funding from taxpayers.

The Harbour Master Plan will take many years to be fully realised. As we develop detailed plans, we want to ensure they reflect the ambitions of our community and preserves the distinctive character, appeal and heritage of this important Island gateway.

We have engaged with our partners and key stakeholders, and now we want to open discussions with the wider community to ensure that we find solutions that work for us all.

Our proposals are still at an early stage, but your views are important to help us refine the designs. We look forward to hearing from you.