VISITORS to Guernsey Candles are being left high and dry by the lack of buses. It has spent thousands on adverts featuring the routes, but roadworks at Rue Sauvage mean the majority of buses have been diverted.

Part owner Marion Martel has even had to give lifts to people waiting outside. The work is set to continue well into the peak tourist season.

‘It will have an effect for the people who use the buses when they’re told they can’t get a bus outside; it’s going to take a percentage away for sure,’ she said.

The closest stop with a regular service is at Oatlands.

‘When you have people with younger children, it’s a long way to walk. They’re not really worried about anybody and I can’t understand why they couldn’t have a diversion.’

Work to extend the foul water sewer means the road should be closed until 4 August.

‘The other night, I had to take someone to Saints because they were stuck outside because there were no buses – how can you leave them out there?’

She said tourist attractions were getting knocked all the time.

‘Before long, it will only be us left. That peeves me. It’s not just Town, we’re getting clobbered again – it’s just madness.’

She added that the number of visitors was down anyway, without the added inconvenience.

‘The States does not give the true figures; all the boarders count as bed nights. It’s not been as good as last year.’

Mrs Martel said it was very difficult for people to find any information about the buses. The sign outside the premises does not warn of a reduced service.

The number 8 bus stops three times at Hautes Capelles School, the last at 1.45pm. The 5 and 5A, which usually stop directly outside Guernsey Candles, ‘seem non-existent’.

‘It’s not good, it makes people go back with a very sour taste in the mouth.’

Mrs Martel was also unsure what was happening with the States and which new department was going to be dealing with tourist sites.

‘They are just getting away with it again; I’m wasting money on advertising and getting nowhere.’

Island Coachways customer care manager Ann Belben apologised for the inconvenience and said that all passengers who wanted to go to Guernsey Candles were advised to use the Oatlands stop.

n No access will be available into Rue Sauvage from Les Salines Road from today while contractors work across the junction.

But there will be access between Courtil de Bas Lane and Rue Sauvage until Tuesday, when the whole junction will close.

Residents can now access Grand Douit Road or Basses Capelles Lane from the Rue Sauvage end.