This Is Guernsey

By Aimee Le Cocq

The new schools at Les Nicolles. Traffic arrangements in the area are worrying the pedestrian safety group Steps - Living Streets.

STEPS – LIVING STREETS wants to know if Environment is waiting for the first student to be knocked down after the department released its plans for the roads around the new schools at Les Nicolles.

Traffic lights, the bus service and speed limits have been addressed in an attempt to ease traffic and protect pedestrians when the two new schools are opened.

But the department said that some of the initiatives, such as one-ways, raised tables and restricted access, cannot be considered until the school is open.  ‘Yet again we have a wait-and-see answer from the Environment Department,’ said the pedestrian safety group’s secretary Pat Wisher.

‘We’ve already had the same answer from Education.

‘Are they waiting for the first student to be knocked down? It was only after Steps raised the issues last June that members of the board actually took the trouble to walk around the area to see at first hand the dangers students will face.

‘In spite of the undertakings by the minister and his deputy at the time, it appears no one has the courage of their convictions. With an election looming, it’s perhaps not surprising.’

Environment has issued a questionnaire to parents of pupils at St Sampson’s Secondary and St Peter Port School to gauge the demand for a bus service as well as travel habits.

The current free bus service at several schools will be tailored to meet the demand at the new establishments. The department is also looking at free travel on scheduled bus services for these pupils.

There will be traffic lights linking the new access road to Baubigny and Les Effards. Work on the Baubigny junction will start on 21 April.

Two pedestrian crossing points will also be installed at the Les Effards junction. Work on these will start on 31 March.

The speed limit in Les Effards and Le Bordage has already been reduced to 25mph in line with the temporary limits in place in roads around other schools.

Environment is currently reviewing speed limits around the island, something that could see any revised schools policy extended to Epinelle Road, La Vielle Rue, Saltpans and Les Sauvagees.

The use of green lanes as pedestrian access has also been supported – a working party comprising Environment, Education and other interested groups has been formed.

‘We acknowledge that Environment has worked hard to improve the proposed traffic signal junction on the Baubigny Road,’ said Mrs Wisher. ‘Students will now be able to cross the road safely, but once on the other side they will be faced with some of the worst roads in the island with no footpaths.’

She queried the use of a questionnaire. ‘We are frankly appalled that £46m. can be spent on two new schools and yet the safety of our students walking to the schools can be left to chance.’

Article posted on 29th February, 2008 - 2.29pm