Monday 13 January 2014
Environment Department response to media enquiry from Guernsey Press.
Guernsey Press enquiry:
In understand there used to be a traffic mirror at the junction Sohier Road and La Maison au Comte Road, Vale, to assit vehicles exiting from the latter so they could see cars coming from the right.
My understanding is that this was vandalised two years ago and has never been replaced. Some people have asked for its return saying the junction is more dangerous without it.
Can the department confirm what happened to this traffic mirror?
Are there any plans to replace it? If so when? If not why not?
Would the department agree there is a danger for cars exiting from La Maison au Comte?
Please can I have this response by the end of today
Environment Department response:
The Traffic Services Unit took the opportunity to review the provision of a traffic mirror installed for drivers attempting to exit Maison au Compte Road at Baugy filter when it was broken in 2011. During these investigations no record could be found of when a mirror was first installed or the specific reasons why. It was noted that it was possible that the sight lines observed at the junction or even the method of junction control had changed since a mirror was first installed.
The sight line for drivers exiting Maison au Compte Road is better than the visibility encountered at many road junctions and private accesses around the Island, the vast majority of which do not have mirrors installed. It is also worth noting that traffic speeds on the immediate approach to the junction should be low because drivers must establish priority before travelling through the filter. Therefore, the Department is confident that motorists approaching the junction with due regard for the filter signing should not experience any particular difficulties without a mirror in place.
The Department only installs traffic mirrors in exceptional circumstances as they can create their own dangers, for example they distort distances, are difficult to use in poor light levels and if the surface becomes degraded. The investigations undertaken a few years ago concluded the junction arrangements and visibility at the Baugy filter could not be described as exceptional and therefore the Traffic Services Unit decided against reinstating the traffic mirror.
Contact Information:
Karl Guille, Traffic and Transport Services Manager
Environment Department
Tel: 243400
