Vale Road work leads to width restriction
WIDTH restrictions are now in place in an attempt to control dangerous traffic in lanes around Vale Road while it is resurfaced.
Vehicles wider than 6ft 6in. are barred from using Pointues Rocques, Robergerie Lane, Mont Morin, Round Chimney and Brock Road.
A spokesperson for Traffic and Highway Services said: ‘Those drivers who choose to rat-run through the narrow lane networks in the Delancey area are causing traffic management problems and congestion within these roads.
‘They are also causing road safety concerns for parents and children who are walking to the schools and playgroups in the area.
‘As in the case of the Vale Road closure in December 2017, THS strongly recommends that drivers use the signed diversion route.’
A Delancey resident and heavy goods vehicle driver, who did not wish to be named, agrees with the decision to apply the restrictions.
‘Road width is a real problem, so this is a good thing,’ he said.
‘I drive a large vehicle and I completely understand why they have done it.
‘I am very surprised about the number of roads that don’t have a width restriction down them as I won’t drive down a road if it’s not suitable for me to go down.
‘We’ve delivered many things to houses around here, so the restrictions are going to cause problems to builders, plumbers and anyone else involved in the construction business.
‘Which means they might end up having to close the road for a short time and that has to be at the right time of the day, not when schools are kicking out and not during rush hour, but you can’t please everyone.
‘It’s annoying for people and it’s annoying for businesses, but it’s safety.
‘This is an old island, the roads aren’t suitable for large vehicles. Not just commercial, you have people driving these big Chelsea tractor-style vehicles. My family back in New Zealand laugh because they can’t believe people are driving them here.
‘These restrictions are good though. I wear a high-vis jacket when I walk around here because there are bicycles, prams, horses and I often see them at the last minute.’
Shane Dunning, who had travelled from St Andrew’s to work in Delancey, said the works on Vale Road were a nuisance as they seem to be affecting the levels of traffic.
‘I have two road closures to deal with in St Andrew’s before I get here, then there’s a big queue of traffic all the way along the seafront, and when I get here this road is shut as well,’ he said.
‘We aren’t that bad in comparison to England and places like that, but I can see what may happen in 10 years’ time with the amount of houses they want to build down this end, it will be jammed solid.’
n Vale Road is due to be shut until Friday.
