'£800 to man a crossing? We'll do it for half that'
OUTRAGED islanders, incredulous at the £30,000 cost of manning the previously self-regulating crossing at The Quay, have offered to save the States money – by doing it themselves for up to half the price.
After Public Services revealed it was going to have to stump up £800 a day to pay overtime rates to off-duty police officers and traffic wardens when cruise ships with more than 1,500 passengers call, people using the crossing – while unmanned – took the chance to divert the money to themselves.
Karen Robins, 59, showing her entrepreneurial spirit, wanted to make the States an offer.
'I'd do it for £400. It is disgusting, isn't it.'
Debbie Gallienne-Ward summed up her feelings.
'It is ludicrous to put them there. Get a pedestrian crossing there instead.
'You really do wonder sometimes. What a waste of money, only in Guernsey would this happen – you know 100% when it is safe to cross the road.'
There are 40 ships with more than 1,500 passengers due to arrive between now and October and Environment has said this pushes the numbers using the crossing above the 600-per-hour limit deemed safe for a courtesy crossing.
