Government plans 30cm-high wall to prevent people falling onto St Aubin's Bay

An independent safety audit called for a wall to be built to protect the public from the 3-4m drop to the beach below. Credit: Government of Jersey

Jersey's government has announced plans to build a new wall along a 200m stretch of the St Aubin's Bay seafront, measuring just 30cm tall.

The wall will run from La Haule slipway to the nearby public toilet, and will cost approximately £90,000 to build.

The Infrastructure Department says it is currently the only stretch of Jersey's south coast without a raised wall, barrier or railings to stop people falling off onto the beach below.

An independent safety audit found that the wall is necessary to protect the public from the 3-4 metre drop to the beach, which often has concrete foundations exposed above the sand.

Deputy Steve Ahier, Jersey's Assistant Infrastructure Minister explains why it is needed:

"The top of the existing sea wall is currently flush with the promenade paving. This new wall will clearly improve safety for pedestrians and those who cycle along this popular route.

"The use of Jersey granite and the relatively low height of the wall means it will be visually nonintrusive and will be very much in keeping with the structures that are already in place further towards the village."

The building work will start next week and last for ten weeks, during which time the public will still be able to use the promenade.