Emergency Repairs to Begin on Marine Pool
- markdarrenwilkinso
- Oct 20
- 2 min read
Emergency Repairs Planned for Historic Victoria Marine Lake
Emergency works are set to begin on Jersey’s historic Victoria Marine Lake to address serious safety concerns, including risks of “potential rip tides and whirlpools” linked to changes in tidal flow through breaches in the sea wall, officials have confirmed.
The 128-year-old seawater pool, located on St Helier’s waterfront, has been closed since 2023 following damage to its protective wall. The site, built in 1897 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, remains one of the largest tidal pools in the British Isles.
Jersey Property Holdings (JPH), the government body responsible for public land and buildings, said preparatory work would start ahead of the winter season. Full restoration is planned for spring 2026, pending funding approval.
A “comprehensive assessment” of the pool’s condition will also be carried out in partnership with a coastal engineering specialist who previously inspected the site in 2011 and 2016, JPH added.
The announcement follows growing public pressure, including a petition signed by more than 1,500 islanders calling for the marine lake to be repaired and reopened.
In response, the government noted that an earlier £315,000 repair effort in 2014 was “largely unsuccessful” due to persistent sea lettuce growth in St Aubin’s Bay. Officials also said they must consider whether there is “sufficient demand” to justify ongoing public spending on the site, but reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the pool’s safety.
Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan met with campaigners at a public meeting in September, where residents urged faster action to restore the much-loved facility.
JPH confirmed it would soon issue a tender for full-scale repairs and invite expressions of interest from potential operators.
“Given the overall poor condition of the wall, warning signs will remain in place to advise against swimming,” the department said. “We cannot yet guarantee that further breaches will not occur.”
