Salerie move is a sign of progress
IT is hard to believe that despite a shocking tragedy at what is now a notorious island accident spot, some road users are continuing to flout the law.
In April last year, the island was stunned by a fatal accident at Salerie Corner in which a cyclist died after colliding with a lorry turning across the cycle path into the car park.
Ensuing investigations revealed that traffic markings on the cycle and pedestrian path nearby were 'so obscure' even an experienced police sergeant had to telephone the Environment Department to establish what they meant.
Similar questions were also raised during a Royal Court trial that cleared the lorry driver. All that could be established was that they represented 'an area where cyclists and pedestrians were meant to mingle', although no such markings appear either in the Highway Code or Guernsey traffic law.
Yet swift action including police spot-checks and extra signage has failed to stop some from, mystifyingly, disregarding clearer general road safety in the area.
Now says the department, it has simply 'no alternative' but to seal off vehicle access entirely. The move will require a revamp of the whole car park layout to allow boat movements through the main entrance and around to the slipway, plus the loss of 22 much-needed parking spaces.
But, relatively speaking, it is a small price to pay for a safer traffic system at one of Town's busiest junctions for vehicles and pedestrians.
The move also shows what joined-up government can achieve, and quickly. Pledges in summer on the 'Salerie Project' timescale, budget and planning have all been met.
If approved, it should also appease cyclists who called for more to be done to protect their health following the incident. As they point out, cycling hasn't suddenly become more dangerous overnight. So as part of a truly integrated transport strategy, the States must openly demonstrate that it is striving to make life on our roads better and safer.
Less ambiguity and more education for road users should already be on the list if we are all to really feel more confident about the island's roads.
Clearly lessons have been learnt and this step is a welcome one. It is only tragic that it took such an incident to bring it on.
