Guernsey Press

Critics of change to Havelet footpath say it is dangerous

NARROWING the public highway to allow for a footpath and landscaping to be created outside the new Havelet housing development would have a ‘dangerous’ impact on road safety and risk setting a precedent, objectors have said.

Published
An open-air public meeting was held outside the former Havelet Brewery for people to submit formal objections to changes to the road layout proposed by developer Comprop. (Picture By Steve Sarre, (21803890)

An open-air public meeting was held outside the former Havelet Brewery allowing islanders to submit formal objections to the proposed changes to the road layout.

Comprop is in the process of rebuilding the site to create 34 flats. They have planning permission to make the changes as part of the site’s development, however the public had to be consulted separately because it involves a public highway.

Under the proposals, access to Les Echelons – the one-way street which goes past Credit Suisse – would be narrower.

Speaking at the meeting, Linda Johnson objected to the loss of the road at the kink in the proposed footpath, which has been shown using yellow lines.

‘What it will do is reduce the amount of space for people to pull over should they mistime their exit from the slip road,’ she said.

Michael Strachan, a long-term occupier of the IAM Advisory office on the corner of Les Echelons, raised concerns.

‘This is used as a rat-run and it will be considerably more dangerous having this kink in the road,’ he said. ‘It is too far out and this turn [into Les Echelons] is too sharp as well.’

St Peter Port douzenier Adrian Gabriel raised what he saw as ‘the elephant in the room’.

‘I object to handing over a piece of States-owned land for perceived financial gain to a developer.

‘I know that it will [remain in States ownership] but the developer will benefit and it has potential to set a precedent.’

Fellow douzenier Rosie Henderson measured the lines and said they were not in accordance with the plan, albeit by a small margin.

‘My objection is that somebody is misleading everybody here and the whole of St Peter Port by painting lines on the road which are not according to the plan. If one point is inaccurate then many points may be inaccurate.’

St Peter Port deputy John Gollop also added his personal objections.

‘I object to the scheme if it hasn’t been properly considered for risks over road safety for vulnerable pedestrians.’

Concerns were also raised over the ability of fire engines to access the road under the proposed changes.

St Peter Port constable Dennis Le Moignan, who was chairing the meeting, said they would get the Fire & Rescue Service to provide a written response addressing those concerns.

Project architect Andrew Male said the tone of meeting was negative, mainly because there was no opportunity for people to speak about the positives of the scheme.

‘It will enhance this end of St Peter Port and ties in nicely with the La Vallette improvements,’ he said of the scheme.

‘It is a good development for the parish at the cost of the developer.’