TRAFFIC chaos caused by the closure of the Grange is the worst ever. And with journeys from the top of Grange to the Town centre already taking up to 40 minutes, Taxi Owners’ Federation president Kevin Marsh warns motorists of even longer tailbacks next week when schools will be back after half-term.

He said that congestion was even worse than when parts of the seafront were closed – and this closure is scheduled to last until 23 June.

‘It’s not only affecting the taxis but the customers – it’s hideous,’ he said. ‘It’s worse than it has ever been, a total shambles.’

He could not believe the decision to close a major arterial route into Town now.

‘I thought they did these jobs in the winter months when it was quieter, not when we are coming into the peak season when there is extra traffic on the roads,’ said Mr Marsh.

Taxi drivers said it was costing them a lot of money. They were being forced to give jobs away to other cars when getting caught up in the congestion made them too late for the pick-up.

‘We understand that the work has to be done but not when the island is coming into our best time,’ he said.

‘It’s costing the punters more money because we have to go the long way round to get out of St Peter Port and we are getting snarled up in all the extra traffic.’

Customers are having to pay an extra £3 or more if they have to go through the diversions.

‘We are very angry – there has been no coordination. The impression we get is ﾓIt needs to be done and we are going to do it regardless, whatever the effect on the general public and businesses”,’ he said.

He urged motorists to stay out of Town next week unless their journeys were absolutely essential and to try and find alternative transport or car share.

‘It’s going to be murder with the schools going back and the parents going through Town. It’s gridlocked now – God help us next week.’

He believed the diversions were confusing.

‘The road signs are not clear enough and you don’t know a road is closed until you are on top of it and then it’s too late. This is a lot worse than when parts of the seafront were closed.’

Bus journeys were also being affected.

Island Coachways managing director Hannah Beacom said that she understood that essential work needed to be carried out and hoped that people would consider alternatives to the car, especially when the States schools returned next week.

‘Perhaps parents will consider putting their children on the school bus or car sharing or using the bus themselves. Every car off the road during this time will help.’

An Environment spokesman defended the closure and the traffic arrangements.

‘The Grange closure is one of a series of essential major works that have been scheduled in sequence. Major disruption would certainly result if these works on arterial routes into St Peter Port were undertaken simultaneously. The scheduling has been planned very carefully to follow on from the closure of Les Banques and Fountain Street and it takes place ahead of other major work planned for later in the year. This includes St Julian’s Avenue, Mount Row/King’s Road junction, Le Vauquiedor and North Esplanade.

‘There are warning signs showing that the Grange is closed at the Longstore, the North Beach roundabout, the Crown and Albert Piers, Doyle Road and at the bottom of Victoria Road.’