Ports of Jersey has been granted planning permission to investigate the condition of Gorey Pier.
Specialist firm Terra Firma will be on site for 4-6 weeks from Tuesday next week, to open a series of trial pits and boreholes on the pier arm, pier head and base of the wall on the harbour side. No work will be undertaken along the bulwarks where the restaurants and homes are.
The upcoming spring tides provide the best opportunity to start work, with low tide going down to 1.35m. The challenges of working in a tidal zone mean we are scheduling the digs at low tide to reduce the risk of sea water filling the holes through the pier. As the tides increase, we may need to pump water out through a filter basket into the harbour.
There will be intermittent access restrictions for vehicles, parking bays and the public, but as much access as possible will be maintained.
These investigations are essential to gather detailed information on the pier, to inform how best to stabilise it.