SCHOOLS must look at ways of easing congestion problems caused by the morning ‘run’. St Peter Port constable Deputy Jenny Tasker said the number of students being dropped off in cars or driving themselves needed to be reduced.
‘I feel that there is the opportunity for individual schools to provide transport if they wished, like Blanchelande do,’ she said.
Deputy Tasker said the Grammar School and colleges had extra problems to deal with.
‘If their students bring their own cars to school, they take up public parking spaces.
‘This adds to congestion, particularly in Town, as the Grammar School uses spaces that could be used for people wanting to use the park and ride service. People who want to work in Town or want to shop are being forced to park in Town.’
She said she had confirmation that this was a problem.
‘People have contacted me recently to say they could not find a space at the park and ride.’
Guernsey is not unique - the problem has been highlighted in England. In term time one in five cars on the road in London at 8.50am is on the school run.
Deputy Tasker believed more needed to be done to encourage students to use school transport when it was provided.
‘The Grammar School has its own bus service so there is no reason why students should not use it. I know some people have argued that students have big bags to take to school and instruments but it has always been the same.
‘We are not doing enough to encourage the use of the provided service. There are public service buses that can bring young people in from all over the island. But I do understand that the timing of those buses can be a problem.’
She hoped the island would help deal with the issue as a community.
‘I would like people to look at this problem and take on board that in other countries the principals or headmasters work with the authorities to say that no vehicles come to school.’
Grammar A-level students said it was impractical for them to catch the bus to school when
they could drive.
Amy Tostevin, 18, said: ‘Having your own car gives you a sense of freedom. You might have to go somewhere after school and the bus would not be suitable. I can also go home at lunchtimes, which is really good.’
Laura Foster, 17, said it would be easier for the younger pupils at the school to catch the bus if the service was better.
‘I used to catch the bus when I was younger. But the public service buses were not always reliable. The system needs to be improved if you are going to get more students catching the bus but you won’t get any student who can drive taking the bus,’ she said.
Head teacher Jeff Smith said the Grammar School did all it could to ease congestion.
‘If the maximum number of students use the buses, it would be to everyone’s benefit,’ he said.
‘But the problem we have is that our buses are jam-packed, so unless someone provides us with more, there is nothing we can do.’
Article posted on 21st April, 2007 - 12.00am
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