PEOPLE living near Les Nicolles Vinery site remain concerned at the implication of new schools being built there. But Education minister Martin Ozanne has promised to hold a public meeting on the plans as soon as details are known.
Department staff are working on the plans. Traffic and drainage issues are being considered as well as access to the seven-acre site.
This may require property to be bought, but not under compulsory purchase, the States has been told.
‘The residents’ main concern is the traffic issue - the roads there are very small. The traffic is already quite heavy going up towards Capelles Schools in the peak hours,’ said parish deputy Scott Ogier.
‘The traffic is obviously going to increase. Various options have been looked at but anything that can alleviate the problem should be looked at seriously. It must be sooner rather than later.’
Deputy Ogier admitted that he did not want to see Les Nicolles used as the site for the schools, but accepted this was now inevitable.
‘I would like to see some creative thinking to build new roads that would divert traffic away from the area,’ he said.
Residents were also concerned about what might happen to fields and land on their doorsteps.
‘There are some stunning urban fields and meadows and the residents’ gardens back on to them. They are very concerned about their use,’ said Deputy Ogier.
‘I’m not entirely sure we need to know what the schools will look like before we understand how the traffic flow is going to work.
‘The sooner the residents can get information about the plans for the site and the usage of the fields, the sooner their fears can be allayed or realised.’
The States has approved the spending of up to £840,000 for clearance and demolition at the site.
Although there were no compulsory purchase plans, Deputy Ogier said he was aware of people who had been approached about the possibility of purchasing fields.
He said that the department had been helpful in trying to address these issues.
Article posted on 5th August, 2004 - 12.00am
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