Tuesday 21 April 2015
Media enquiry from the Guernsey Press
Dear Environment
Would it be possible to get a general comment from the department about the new road layout along the Town seafront.
- Given that it has been almost two weeks since the layout changed, how does the department think its introduction has gone?
- Does it think the public now understands the crossing much better?
- Has the department received any complaints about it?
- When will work to 'tidy' the area up start?
- Any other comments.
This is planned in for tomorrow's paper so if I am able to get a response by 3.30pm today it would be much appreciated.
If someone could please confirm receipt and let me know if this deadline is acceptable that would be great.
Kind regards,
Nicola Gibbons
Journalist
Environment Department Response:
It is still early days but there is evidence that new layout changes at the Town Quay are bedding in and, in general, there have been no significant traffic delays due to the reduction to one lane of traffic southbound. The wider waiting areas for pedestrians at the informal crossing, the reduced speed limit and the wider traffic lanes for vehicles all contribute positive road safety benefits.
We noted that drivers were driving very cautiously through the new layout during the first few days and, in particular, it was evident that nearly every driver was giving way to pedestrians using the informal crossing. Similarly, pedestrians were also getting used to the changes. It appears that people have familiarised themselves with the new crossing and its markings and the majority are using it correctly now; that is that pedestrians need to wait for a safe gap in the traffic before crossing and that drivers have right of way as they have always done at this location, albeit that courteous behaviour from drivers continues to be evident.
There were some traffic delays at certain times on the day when the Oriana cruise liner visited the Island, but this may have been due to a combination of factors. Firstly, the changes were very new and therefore drivers were driving very cautiously. Also, it seemed that many people took the opportunity to visit Town ahead of the Easter weekend along the newly opened seafront route, following a 7 week period of road works. In addition, due to the delay in the arrival of the cruise liner, there were fewer coach tours than originally planned and therefore more passengers took the opportunity to walk into the Town centre via the informal crossing than would have ordinarily taken place.
Environment and Public Services (Harbours) will continue to monitor the area on days when large cruise liners visit the island to see what impact the extra pedestrian movements have on the various crossing points along the seafront. In the widened pedestrian walkways, Guernsey Harbours have installed crowd barriers as a temporary measure until flower tubs arrive. It is hoped that these will arrive and be installed within the next fortnight. Longer term, if the trial works well and receives support then the Department will install flower tubs at various points along the Quay, widening the marina side walkway to approximately double its previous width, with additional seating being made available to enjoy the marina and harbour views. Other changes would be made at the same time to the landward side to include disabled bays, car drop-off points and alfresco café seating.
We are aware that the public realm benefits are not evident at this stage, but it is important to trial the traffic flow and by taking advantage of a delay in routine resurfacing it means that we have been able to do this trial at minimum cost ahead of resurfacing this coming winter.
Many people have commented on the atmosphere in Town on Seafront Sundays when this area is pedestrianised and although that is not practical on the other six days of the week, the new layout has the potential to better balance the needs of motorists, pedestrians and visitors.
