St Sampson’s constable-elect Rob Broome has some sympathy for Environment, but says nobody knows a parish like its douzaine. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0871113)
THE Environment Department is disappointed and frustrated that St Sampson’s constables think they could do a better job of coordinating roadworks in their parish.
The department came under fire last week at the St Sampson’s parish meeting when constable Andy Bichard said they could do the job more efficiently.
That followed a week of traffic disruption in the parish made worse by the closure of L’Abbaye in the neighbouring Vale.
A spokesman for Environment said that, since 2004, the St Sampson’s constables had been consulted on 391 applications for road closures, but had responded to just over a third – 140.
‘This shows quite clearly that the parish is simply not contributing to the consultation process as much as they could and should.’
He said the new system had been intended to provide a more coordinated approach to roadworks.
‘It is disappointing and frustrating that the St Sampson’s parish constables should seek to take the easy route of criticism rather than the more onerous time-consuming approach of proactive contribution.’
He said islanders had been complaining about the state of the roads as far back as 1985 – and that was when parish constables were in charge.
Soon to be sworn-in St Sampson’s constable Rob Broome said the douzaine should be more involved in road closures.
‘I don’t think Environment take any notice of what people say. I know their job is not easy but nobody knows the parish more than the douzaine. Last week the road closures were horrendous,’ he said.
* Arrangements were reviewed in 1996 by a States working party and, at the start of this decade, when the parish constables were still responsible for approving road closures, the business community, Chamber of Commerce and St Peter Port Traders, criticised the number being done at the same time.
Following a States debate, Environment took over control of coordinating roadworks and closures in 2002.
The new legislation required the department to consult parish constables before granting or refusing any temporary road closure.
Article posted on 12th November, 2009 - 2.29pm
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