CLOSING the Lower Pollet to traffic could be more trouble than it is worth. Deputy Environment minister Ivan Rihoy said that it would be a possibility, but not without complications.

‘A number of factors would need to be taken into consideration, including the loss of public parking and the likely effect that such proposals would have on nearby businesses and properties,’ he said.

In 2004, consideration was given to proposals for a late-night ban on vehicles using Le Truchot and the Lower Pollet, but were shelved following objections from businesses.

Deputy Rihoy said that they included a prohibition for private cars between 11pm and 3am, but allowed taxis and emergency vehicles access.

‘While there were obvious road safety benefits for pedestrians, if vehicular access to the area was to be restricted at night, there was also concern that the ban might lead to a greater tendency for groups of people to congregate and increase the risk of antisocial behaviour.’

Earlier this week, BarBados general manager Pat Anslow said the club had struggled to control the number of people spilling out onto the street for a smoke and the closure of the road might be a possible safety measure.

He added that the growing consensus among clubbers was that the closure would be a good idea.

‘I can understand the fact that certain businesses like Da Nello’s need vehicle access, but at least the traffic can get cleared from the area. Probably one of the best things we can do is clear traffic by stopping parking.’

But St Peter Port senior constable Richard Barneby said it would be madness to close the road to satisfy the needs of smokers.

‘We would be completely against closure of the road purely for the convenience of the nightclubs turning the road into a giant ashtray,’ he said.

Guernsey Taxi Owners’ Federation president Kevin Marsh said that he did not see any advantages in closing the road.

‘The only thing I would say is that there should be no parking in the Pollet, apart from deliveries. I can’t see the States closing it just so that people can go for a smoke.’