PEOPLE living near a Vale coal yard are worried about the safety of their children playing in the road near it. They fear that there will be a lot more traffic from the new year when Guernsey Coal leases to other businesses part of its yard at La Hure Mare.

But the company said that it had taken into consideration the quality of life of people living nearby.

Managing director David Meeks said that the side of the yard nearer the houses would be leased only to businesses which do not generate a lot of vehicle movements.

People living in Les Monmains hope the entrance furthest from their homes will be used by all traffic.

‘We haven’t heard anything about what’s going on for months. They were supposed to come back to us first as we are the ones who have to live with it,’ said one woman.

‘I have three children and there are many more who play in the streets around here. The road is very narrow and there is only one way in and one way out, so the traffic gets quite bad from time to time.

‘It’s fairly quiet, but it’s getting noisier and it’s going to affect the value of the houses. Even if we decided to leave, we could end up with negative equity the way things are going. I hear they’re going to soundproof the new buildings, but that doesn’t help with the traffic.’

The 2.6-acre yard should be ready for the first businesses to start moving in by January.

A traffic impact assessment was undertaken in response to residents’ concerns.

Several deputies who welcome more premises for small businesses have supported the development.

Arthur Whales, 77, said it was good news, but there was too much uncertainty surrounding the plans.

‘Many years ago there used to be a timber storage facility there and a child was killed by a lorry. We do not want anything like that to happen again,’ he said.

‘Guernsey Coal has usually shown us consideration, but we don’t know what is happening on our doorstep any more.

‘The people here all want the Hure Mare entrance to be used instead of Les Monmains one so that the children playing on the streets will be safer.

‘When Ronez used the site before Guernsey Coal came here, they used the other entrance, so I don’t see why it can’t be opened up again.’

Janice Fitzhenry lives next door to the yard. She said she was concerned about access to it.

‘It’s usually fairly quiet at the weekends, but depending on what type of businesses move in, it might get busier,’ she said.

‘It’s very noisy when the scrap metal trucks use the road. Why can’t they use the other entrance?’

Mary Harrison has just moved to the neighbourhood.

She said she was aware it was an industrial area beforehand.

‘I think it’s good news,’ she said.

‘My son has a small business and he can’t find a premises for love nor money. He is thrilled this has happened and has put his name down.’

LIMPET

Guernsey Coal managing director David Meeks said he was willing to talk to residents about the plans.

‘We were asked by Environment to undertake a traffic impact assessment and it was carried out this summer by the same people who the States use,’ he said.

‘They found the roads were only at 13% of their capacity at peak times.’

He admitted a prediction into the potential traffic impact from small businesses moving in had not been done.

But he said consideration had been given to neighbours’ quality of life.

‘I proposed the east side of the yard was the best for quiet businesses that don’t create much traffic as it is closest to houses,’ he said.

‘The west side will be for businesses that generate more traffic and they will of course be using the entrance there.

‘Not one resident has been to see us. The plans are in the office for people to have a look at and we are willing to talk with anybody.’