Monday 27 July 2015
The Town Seafront Working Party, consisting of both States Members and staff, met today to discuss a number of issues, including the current effect the recent changes to the Quay have had on traffic.
The Working Party acknowledged that there are many interelated issues when considering changes to access and transportation and that, while there has been some criticism of the current arrangements, there has also been some support for the revised traffic layout on the Quay. It did, however, acknowledge that the current arrangements are not working adequately and immediate revisions are required.
The Working Party has, therefore, agreed the following two-stage plan of action:
As an immediate revision, to request the Environment Department to consider, at its meeting on Tuesday 28th July, re-introducing two lanes of southbound traffic from the Crown Pier to the Albert Pier, as a temporary solution whilst further discussions take place
As part of the immediate revision to the traffic lanes, for safety reasons the informal crossing point will continue to be staffed on days when large numbers of cruise liner passengers are in Town and the northbound arrangements in the vicinity of the informal crossing will remain as they currently stand, with no reinstatement of the separate traffic lane to Town Church Square
To commence wide ranging and thorough consultation with the Island's community, including a series of public workshops and meetings, to develop longer-term plans and solutions for the Town seafront
Jonathan Le Tocq, Chair of the Working Party, said:
"I'm really pleased with how the meeting went today, many of the issues identified by the public were discussed and a recommendation has been made to the Environment Department that is intended to help alleviate some of the traffic congestion which we have been experiencing. However, the Working Party does not regard the reintroduction of two lanes of traffic on the Quay as a long-term solution and there are many opportunities and conflicting priorities which need to be taken into account in developing a permanent outcome."
The Working Party acknowledged that the Environment Department will need to give due consideration to this suggestion, however, during the meeting, the Environment Department representatives made it clear that they were open to considering such a revision.
Deputy Le Tocq said: "The Town Seafront Working Party is not a flash in the pan group. I have established it to ensure that all competing demands and pressures for the use of the Town seafront are given full consideration so we can jointly develop a plan for change that has the support of the community and ensures the St Peter Port remains an attractive destination for local businesses, shoppers and residents as well as visitors to our Island".
