A group of 14 Royal Engineers from the British Army are in Montserrat for two weeks to help advance a number of important infrastructure projects.
They are providing expert technical support on utilities, access, safety and business continuity, along with their team leader Major Ben Woods.
According to a Facebook post from the Governor’s Office on 24 April, among the projects they are working on are:
-A civil engineering review as to whether or not viable options exist to make changes to the runway at John A Osborne Airport.
-An options study to mitigate the effects of flood waters in the Belham Valley.
-Expert advice on improving the resilience and sustainability of Montserrat’s energy, water and wastewater utility services.
This is taking place in advance of a visit next week from officials of the UK’s Department for Energy and Net Zero and commercial water experts.
-A study detailing courses of government action that can be taken to reduce the rate of erosion at Carr’s Bay and Bransby Point.
-A design review to ensure that the Jack Boy Hill sewage treatment ponds are fit for purpose.
-And having experienced prolonged power outages over the weekend, the engineers have been working alongside MUL to inspect the island’s telegraph poles.
This will help them to determine the likely cause of recent fires and offer advice on how best to avoid any repeat.
The Royal Engineers previously visited Montserrat in January for a reconnaissance visit, and on 19 April, Governor Sarah Tucker welcomed them back.
The Royal Engineers are one of the British Army’s three combat support arms and are trained as soldiers, technical engineers and artisan tradesmen.
They perform highly specialised combat and non-combat tasks and are active all over the world in conflict and peace.
