Government Outlines Four-Step Plan for Rouge Bouillon Repairs
The government has announced a four-step plan to stabilise and repair a building on Rouge Bouillon, which has been closed to the public since December 18 due to a burst water main that caused a sinkhole beneath the road.
The structural integrity of a building at the corner of Rouge Bouillon and Clarendon Road was compromised following the incident, forcing businesses and tenants to evacuate. Since then, engineers have been on-site assessing the best course of action for repairs.
The newly revealed four-step plan includes:
Manufacturing and installing a steel strapping system to stabilize the building.
A geotechnical assessment of soil conditions beneath the foundations.
Demolition of external structures, including boundary walls affecting neighboring properties.
Ongoing monitoring and timeline reviews for the safe reopening of Rouge Bouillon.
An exact timeframe for completion has not been provided, though the government previously stated the road is unlikely to reopen until after the Easter holidays.
Widespread Impact and Growing Frustration
The burst water main flooded the basement of the affected building with 20,000 liters of water, exacerbating the damage. The government says it is facilitating discussions between all responsible parties, including Jersey Water, property owners, network management, drainage teams, and building control.
However, displaced tenants and business owners have voiced concerns over communication and accountability. Penny Downes, owner of beauticians Pennyfeathers, said she has received no support from either the government or Jersey Water:
"I've had zero support from the government, zero support from Jersey Water. I have put questions to Jersey Water and I'm still waiting for an answer, which is extremely frustrating as we're in a situation where no one will take responsibility."
She also fears the disruption could last far longer than initially expected:
"Until someone takes responsibility, we can't move forward with going back to the original site—which could be a matter of years. This isn't short-term; we could be out for a couple of years."
In response, a spokesperson for Jersey Water stated:
"We have been actively working with the Infrastructure Department, property owners, and insurance companies to resolve the issues posed by the unstable building as quickly as possible."
With no clear resolution in sight, affected businesses and residents remain in limbo, awaiting further updates on the progress of repairs.