£190million overhaul of Guernsey Harbours

Harbour Master, Chad Murray talks to ITV News about why work to improve Guernsey Harbours is so important.

£190million is due to be spent on a huge make-over of the ports.

£190million will be spent on improving the facilities and infrastructure at Guernsey harbours. £110million has already been earmarked for a new fuel facility, but now a consultation's underway to find ways to cover the remaining £80million. The money will be spent on...

• Improving the St Peter Port harbour layout.
• Building a new terminal and customs area.
• Finish building a new Port Signal Station.
• Upgrading marina facilities.
• Developing quays and pontoons.
• Upgrading and repairing breakwater, harbour walls and public areas.
• Repairing navigational aids.
• Replacing the West Roll On-Roll Off ramp.
• Replacing the Sarnia workboat
• Dredging the St Peter Port Harbour.
• Complying with International Ship and Port Facility Security Standards.

Islanders in Guernsey are being asked how £80million of a £190million make-over of the harbours should be funded.

The plans to upgrade Guernsey's harbours have finally been revealed.

The masterplan will see both St Peter Port and St Sampson's overhauled over the course of ten years, with a new £110million fuel facility - that the States has already agreed to fund - and passenger terminal at the centre of the project.

Options include rises in harbour fees for imported goods, mooring charge increases for leisure boats, and the introduction of a tax on cruise ship passengers.

Plans for new charges at Guernsey harbours are to be unveiled later today.

Prices will be on the rise as a result of the current decline in their usage and are deemed vital to ensure the sustainability of the harbours in the future.

Guernsey is Europe's largest tender port for cruise liners, with cruise ship passengers injecting £5m annually into Guernsey's economy.

Guernsey Harbours will be seeking the view of the Bailiwick's public at a meeting this morning on the proposed changes to pricing at St Peter Port and St Sampson's.

98% of all freight coming into the island goes through Guernsey Harbours, who deliver 330,000 tonnes of lifeline supplies to the Bailiwick every year.