A SUGGESTION by the Guernsey Marine Traders Association that the unloved and unused granite ‘follies’ at North Beach could be removed to create around 100 extra spaces highlights what this newspaper said when Public Services first announced its ill-judged raid on Town car parking: there are alternatives.
PSD confirmed that yesterday when it said that it, too, had considered removing the seating areas but had ruled it out because of the cost.

What this shows, as we also argued earlier, is that the department cares only about resolving its own problems and is not concerned about what disruption it causes in consequence.

Taking away 200 car parking spaces would not be an option for a private contractor, at least not unless it was prepared to pay to do so and had an acceptable plan for making up the shortfall.

The mindset in government is different, however. Commercial considerations do not apply, which is why the harbour master was prepared to say that harbour staff should have their own parking in case they were late for work and a ship was delayed as a result.

How many other employers can use taxpayer funds to provide such a perk?

Come to that, where else except in the public sector is parking an acceptable excuse for being late for work?

PSD wants to take over much of North Beach because it is easy, cheap and convenient for it and its staff, irrespective of how badly it might impact on commerce in St Peter Port and the lives of others.

The other unsatisfactory aspect is that the department won’t say what other options it has ruled out or why.

It is easy to guess why not.

Commuters, businesses and shoppers on the receiving end of the proposed 200 space reduction will have a different view of what the right balance is between cost and convenience – and the permanent benefit of an extra 100 spaces being created by removing the North Beach ‘follies’.

But by being economical with the data it releases, Public Services can control the convenient result that it wants.