Tuesday 09 June 2015
Media Enquiry from Guernsey Press:
In regard to our conversation, can the department please answer the following.
Is the work which is taking place in Salerie Car Park the start of works which will extend to the cycle path?
Can the department detail exactly what work is taking place in Salerie car park.
If this is not related to changes to the cycle path, when are these slated to begin and why has it taken until now for the works to have commenced. How much money will be spent on the works?
When are they due to be completed and what other changes will happen to the cycle path?
Please add any commentary you feel necessary.
Environment Department Response:
The Environment Department has just commenced planned works to close off the Salerie Corner slipway access using removable bollards and to excavate a section of the western side of the grass mound to create a new road way that will link the slipway with the main car park. It has also arranged for the relocation a lighting column from its current position to the north-east of the recycling bins where it was an obstruction to turning traffic.
The scheme follows concerns that have been raised about conflict at the slipway access between vehicles and pedestrians/cyclists using the shared section of footpath. This was despite there being signage in place the prohibits vehicles from exiting the car park from this direction. The change will mean that trailered boats up to the maximum size permitted to circulate un-escorted between St Sampson's Harbour and St Peter Port Harbour will have to travel around the perimeter of the car park in order to launch or recover. In this regard, a lighting column has been relocated to make it easier for drivers towing boats to make the left turn towards the main car park exit. Approximately 20 parking spaces will be removed to facilitate the circulation of the trailered boats around the car park and more formal directions of traffic flow will be introduced. The 6 Guernsey Boat Owners Association parking spaces will be relocated to the northern side of the Marina. The Department is also considering whether further modifications to the mound can be undertaken to reduce the impact on loss of public parking.
Arrangements are being put in place, including out of office hours, for boat hauliers to be able to remove the bollards for movements of very large boats on the proviso that the bollards are replaced as soon as possible after the move has taken place.
The Department has budgeted £20,000 for the work, the bulk of which is for excavating and re-profiling the mound and laying the small section of new road.
The scheme is expected to be completed in the next couple of weeks and the Department is writing to boat hauliers to advise them more fully about the changes.
The Department's Active Travel Unit has reviewed the remainder of the Seafront cycle path but is unlikely to be able progress with any initiatives until the States agree a funding mechanism for the Integrated Transport Strategy.
Contact Information:
Phil Ogier, Senior Passenger Transport Officer
Environment Department
Tel: 01481 243400