The diving board at La Vallette Bathing Pools will be around for at least another month while a group considers 'potential solutions' to prevent its removal.

Environment & Infrastructure says new avenues have potentially become available to keep the platform, that has been deemed unsafe due to the water depth underneath.

It emerged last Friday (7 February) that the Health and Safety Executive had ordered the diving board be removed due to 'concerns about the increased likelihood of serious injury' after reports of 'near misses'.

It prompted a protest on Sunday, drawing hundreds of supporters to the pool.

The States said increasing the depth of the pool to mitigate the safety risk would cost around £1M, plus the expense of a round-the-clock lifeguard and segregating the diving area, which it said would also be required.

Following the backlash, Environment and Infrastructure says it has received 'significant offers of community support - including potential funding and practical help  - and that 'new avenues have potentially become available'.

HSE has paused its prohibition notice so that the diving board, which was due to be removed today (11 February) can stay in place for four weeks.

E&I says it is keen to avoid a permanent closure, and a small working party has been set up to consider what can be done.

Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez, President of the Committee, said:

"None of us want to see the platform removed unless it is absolutely necessary. However, we recognise that we have a responsibility to act with urgency in response to the matters that the prohibition notice has raised.

“We fully appreciate that the additional time comes with risk and the need to ensure that people do not use the platform in the meantime. Unfortunately, simply putting a ‘no diving’ sign in place would not be adequate to improve safety, and neither would it remove the liability from the States. That was of course the first option we explored.

"As a keen swimmer myself, I’m extremely keen – like so many others – to find a solution that will mean the diving platform can remain in place for people to safely enjoy. 

Deputy de Sausmarez has also refuted suggestion that licensing for dredging is a barrier to increasing the depth of the pool.