SARSEW owner Dave Barrett is furious that access to his business will be affected by roadworks for the third time since November. Les Mauxmarquis, St Andrew’s, will be one-way from its junction with Pointes Lane to the Bailiff’s Cross traffic lights for 10 days from Monday while Ronez resurfaces a private driveway.

‘Two cottages along there were completely rebuilt and they didn’t have to close the road,’ said Mr Barrett. ‘For one day, I might have gritted my teeth but for 10? It’s ridiculous and if everybody was allowed to do this, nobody would get anywhere.’

The road was closed for a month towards the end of last year and for five weeks around April. It has been resurfaced and is now subject to a roadworks embargo.

Mr Barrett said he found out about the latest work when a sign was placed on his property, without his permission, advising motorists that it was happening.

‘I called Environment and was told that they did not have to notify me personally because the road wasn’t being closed – it was only being made one-way,’ he said.

He said thousands of journeys would be disrupted because of one person’s driveway.

He was also angry that westbound traffic would be diverted along Rue du Monnaie, which he said was a bottleneck.

‘They ‘Environment’ tell me they can’t use Pointes Lane as it’s a minor road but in truth it’s a heavy-goods route used by lorries.’

Ronez director and general manager Peter de Garis said the health and safety of staff and of the general public was of paramount importance when working on highways and he did not wish to comment further.

Traffic and Transport Services manager Karl Guille said that in accordance with its roadworks policy, the Environment Department did its utmost to forewarn motorists and residents of forthcoming closures and one-way systems. Accordingly, advisory signs were placed in sections of road where work was due to take place.

In the case of Mauxmarquis Road, the applicant was not required to write to nearby residents and businesses because the work did not require full closure of the road.

‘In considering this latest application, the department was mindful of the recent closure of Mauxmarquis Road but also had to consider the knock-on effects of other roadworks scheduled in and around this area in forthcoming months,’ said Mr Guille.

The diversion route for the one-way system was via Bailiff’s Cross Road, Rue du Monnaie and Les Poidevins.

‘Pointes Lane is not used as a diversion route because of the poor visibility at its junction with Mauxmarquis Road,’ said Mr Guille.

He said access signs would be put out for the businesses located in the affected section of the road.

* Details of the weekly road closure list are available at the department’s www.iris.gov.gg website.