Comments on: Carrot, not stick is minister’s way ahead on traffic

By: Top Decker

Top Decker — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 08:25:48 +0000

I’m with you Milly. Bring back the tram!

By: backchat

backchat — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 14:31:34 +0000

Not the car mirrors that bother me, more like the bus driving on the pavement towards me, then one comes the other way and forces the cars to mount the pavement too, Is it only me that has noticed since the large green bus has arrived it is not a pleasant experience to walk anymore!

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By: Rosie

Rosie — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 11:51:38 +0000

IWV. That is certainly a contributing factor but those people who ‘would’ choose to cycle, don’t because they are intimidated by the volume of (and behaviour of some) cars. Also, many of those cars that clutter up everyones driveways that you describe are bought because people feel that driving is the only option in Guernsey. At a time of increasing financial pressures, having to invest considerable capital in a collection of cars for every member of the family is not going to help people cope with the increasing cost of living. And that’s before you start to consider the rising expense of running a car

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By: IWV2

IWV2 — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 11:43:48 +0000

Ray (IWV) I’ll join your little campaign for what it’s worth.

I’m happy to admit I was against IWV until the last election but the fiasco in the Vale where it was statistically more difficult not to be elected changed my mind.

Cheers, PLP (aka IWV2)

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By: Martino

Martino — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 11:01:50 +0000

If IWV stands for Island Without Vehicles you can put my name down Ray!

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By: IWV

IWV — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 09:59:03 +0000

Hi Rosie

Re your reply to radical at Post 14

I think that most people don’t cycle because most people of driving age have a car

If they have a 10K,20K, 30K even, car in the drive on which they are paying compulsory insurance on top of the monthly HP charges only a small percentage of them will leave it unused and take the cycle out of the shed

I believe that it will take a draconian big stick to alter that situation

Name change? Since Matt Fallaize, who unfortunately is in charge of the investigation into Island Wide Voting, has absolutely no interest in the subject I thought I would sign in as IWV from now on to remind people that at the 2012 hustings it was treated as a very serious matter

I would like to see other regular contributors sign in as IWV2,IWV3 etc even if only for a short time to get the message across that there will be a price to pay if Island Wide Voting is not introduced at the next election

Ray / IWV

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By: milly

milly — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 09:19:20 +0000

One day i walked to work along the front,i spent so much time dodging cyclists i decided to become one.one day i rode to town and spent so much time dodging cars i decided to drive to work.one day i drove to work and spent so much time dodging pedestrians and bike riders i gave up. MERRY XMAS TO ALL YOU BLOGGERS.

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By: rosie

rosie — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 07:59:53 +0000

IWV. No one doubts how popular cars are in Guernsey. TED has already made your point. Sadly, most people look at this purely from their own selfish point of view and are not prepared to look at the wider picture.

What’s with the name change?

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By: rosie

rosie — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 07:53:55 +0000

‘if not they can decide upon other means’…. except of course they can’t. Most people won’t cycle because the sheer number of cars on the roads intimidates them and walking too feels less safe when large cars whizz by with their wing mirrors almost clipping your shoulders. Totally agree tho’ that the bus service needs improvement with much more frequent buses.

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By: IWV

IWV — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 16:32:14 +0000

Car numbers doubled in 20 years!

That suggests to me that they are VERY popular amongst the majority of the voting population.I wouldn’t want to be the Minister who decides to wield a big stick

I had to go to the Gouffre gift shop this morning at 8.30.Drove around the coast from the Vale,admired the new Vazon Cafe,taken aback by the airport works,got to the Gouffre at 9 am. Absolutely no traffic problems whatsoever on the way.Cyclists and walkers would have had a virtually clear road and if that is what counts as something to moan about Lord help us all

The only annoyance on my great adventure to foreign parts was that the Gouffre shop doesn’t open till 10.30am!

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By: rosie

rosie — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:52:21 +0000

Rolf: It was thought in the mid 90’s that traffic in Guernsey had reached saturation point. Then we had 40,000 cars registered. A mere 20 years later and we now have more than double that at almost 87,000. Granted that number also includes some cars that are no longer on the roads but even bearing that in mind, it is still an unbelievable and unsustainable increase. Our population (sadly) still seems to be increasing year on year and while that continues, we can expect traffic volumes to keep pace unless we do something about it.

Car dependency is not a ‘fact of life’- it is a choice and it does not ‘have’ to be a by-product of a wealthy society- the Netherlands are also a wealthy society and in the 1970’s made a conscience decision to develop a transport strategy that encouraged everyone to use a variety of transport options so reversing their car dependent culture. No reason why we can’t do the same.

There are many reasons why it would be stupid for us to continue down this blind alley- the recent report from N.I.C.E. being a pretty powerful one on its own. I totally agree that the car will always be a part of our transport structure but it needs to be managed in such a manner that the alternative transport options of walking, cycling and public transport are given far more weight and for that to happen we need to reduce the numbers of cars on the road. Additional car-parking will not do that and therefore shows a lack of foresight. 

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By: A.J.

A.J. — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 14:16:43 +0000

For those who like to cycle every day,you could always try living in Sark. No cars, no carparks.For most, who live here, especially pensioners,they have to use a car.

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By: Radical

Radical — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 14:12:30 +0000

Think people are making a mountain out of a mole hill. Let teh congestion continue as it is. If people want to continue to drive, then let them. If not they can decide upon other means. The only thing I think that does need to change is the bus service, which should become more commuter focused. More frequent, shorter journies from the main hubs to town at key times. That would incentivise some but

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By: Rolf

Rolf — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 22:28:36 +0000

Rosie: Your theory is based on the fact that vehicle numbers would increase ad infinitum. Since Guernsey is a limited entity,population and vehicles can only increase to a definitive level, and present numbers suggest that we may not be far short of that. Even so, any increase will not be overnight.
Your statement that the volume of traffic entering St. Peter Port would increase is unsubstantiated; again due to natural limits. You might not like it but in the 21st century, car dependancy is a fact of life, and a by-product of our wealthy society. This problem needs to be addressed with a positive attitude together with a degree of foresight; the point of additional car parking space is to provide for that inevitable but limited expansion.

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By: soph

soph — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 19:04:33 +0000

Oohs a good point for drivers. Will not risk healthy walking or cycling!!! Live in Guernsey countryside where cars rule the world
So who is accountable, me or vehicles who rush past with no regard?

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