Tuesday 23 September 2014
Whilst the Public Services Department resurfaced the filter junction at Route des Capelles/Hougues Magues Road, the Environment Department took the opportunity to arrange for the temporary monoblocks on the south side of Hougues Magues Road to be removed and replaced with a permanent widened pavement.
The temporary monoblocks were originally placed out to ensure that motorists did not cut the corner when turning left from Hougues Magues Road into Route des Capelles and to provide a safer waiting area and better visibility for pedestrians of oncoming traffic (and vice versa) whilst waiting to cross from the east side of Hougues Magues Road to the west side.
At the same time, the height of the kerbs adjacent the zebra crossing have been dropped to make it easier for those wheelchair users as well as anyone using pushchairs or buggies etc to use the crossing. The Department also installed blister paving on approach to either side of the zebra crossing to assist anyone with visual impairment.
The Department is aiming to ensure that the pavements and crossings are as safe and user friendly as possible and the Department will be taking the opportunity to co-ordinate further improvements with other planned PSD projects to achieve this aim. Working together to introduce safer and easier facilities for pedestrians, not only reduces disruption to the travelling public but also has financial benefits, because the contractor is already mobilised at the site. The next site where improvements are being planned with PSD works is at the Grange signalised crossing. Further details will be issued in due course.
The Environment Department has been liaising with the Guernsey Disability Alliance and Aindre Reece-Sheerin, local Access and Disability Consultant who kindly provided advice over these latest works and will continue to do so with other improvements that it is planning. Mr Reece-Sherin commented "I am delighted to have been able to advise the Department on both policy and physical aspects of new and refurbished crossing installations with a view to making Guernsey a safer place for all pedestrians, especially disabled people".
Contact Information:
Colin Le Page, Principal Traffic Officer (Strategy and Projects)
Environment Department
Tel: 243400
