Thursday 10 May 2012
Environment Department response to media enquiry from Guernsey Press.
Guernsey Press Enquiry:
We have been asked me to pick up on the temporary barrier installed at the new bus stop on Braye Road - outside Oatlands.
In a previous response from Environment to a colleague - the department said 'the bus stop has been in use since the temporary barrier was installed and now provides a significantly improved drop off and pick up area for visitors travelling to and from Oatlands Village as compared with the previous arrangements.'
In the conditions of the grant of planning permission it clearly states 5. A staggered safety barrier shall be provided across the entrance to Oatlands car park, before the waiting area hereby approved comes into operation, in accordance with details which shall first have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Environment Department. Therefore it could be argued the department is in breach of the planning conditions because the bus stop has been in use since a temporary barrier was installed and not a permanent one as the conditions suggest.
What is the department's response to this? Does it agree it is in breach of its own planning permission? If this is the case what will the department do about it?
Why hasn't a permanent barrier been installed? In a story we did about the bus stop in January a department spokesperson said 'works are due to be completed by the end of the week and the bus stop will come into operation shortly thereafter.'
This is not for tomorrow's paper but a response before the end of tomorrow would be brilliant.
Response:
The proposed design and location of a staggered safety barrier across the new pedestrian entrance to Oatlands Village from Braye Road has been formally approved and responsibility for its installation rests with the landowner. In the intervening period, a temporary barrier has been installed in the agreed location so that the bus stop can actually be used, thereby providing a significantly improved drop off and pick up area for bus users as compared to what was previously in place.
The Department has been advised by the landowner that the permanent barrier is about to be installed.
Contact Information:
Karl Guille, Traffic and Transport Services Manager
Environment Department
Tel: 243400
