Sea pool repairs high on agenda, says minister

Jersey’s government has pledged to repair the crumbling Victoria Marine Lake pool, despite previously branding it “uneconomical.”

Infrastructure Minister Constable Andy Jehan confirmed on Thursday that money would be invested to restore the 128-year-old sea pool, which has been out of action since 2023.

The pool, built in 1897 and among the largest of its kind in the British Isles, has been unusable after damage to its sluice gates left it unsafe. Jehan warned that holes in the structure were “getting larger” and said safety was now the top priority.

“It’s about safety,” he said. “We can’t demolish a historic building without permission, and that would cost an awful lot of money. The priority at the moment is to repair the pool and make it safe.”

Repairs are expected to run into “hundreds of thousands of pounds.”

The announcement follows a campaign led by islander Nina Zaech, whose petition to save the pool attracted more than 1,400 signatures. She said the community welcomed the government’s change of stance but called for action rather than promises.

“In our view, it’s not only about safety – it’s about preserving an important public place, honouring history, and ensuring its future,” she said. “We’ve been assured that funding will be secured and long-term solutions put in place, but so far nothing has happened and no timescale has been given.”

Zaech urged the government to be transparent, publishing assessments, contractor proposals and long-term maintenance plans.