Political move could block speed changes

At the moment it is not known who is likely to lead any such move, but the first indication that it could happen came from Vale deputy Mary Lowe following Saturday’s parish ‘surgery’, where the issue of the speed limit changes being introduced by Environment & Infrastructure was brought up.

‘Lively start at the Vale Deputies Surgery today, no surprises really it was about 25mph decision by E&I ,what are we going to do about it, they asked?’ Deputy Lowe tweeted.

‘The Deputies discussed & decided an amendment to annul the Statutory Instrument when it’s listed in the Billet. E&I will be informed.’

Other deputies present at the meeting were Neil Inder, Matt Fallaize and Laurie Queripel, but speaking afterwards, Deputy Lowe said that nobody has agreed to front any effort to annul E&I’s scheme.

E&I’s new speed restrictions will see 81 roads in or near main centres have the limit reduced to 25mph.

Because these changes fall within E&I’s powers, they do not require the States to debate them, and will instead go before members as a statutory instrument, informing them of work that is being done.

These matters cannot be amended, but they can be rejected outright and that is what will be attempted when this comes before the Assembly in two or three months’ time.

Deputy Lowe is president of Home Affairs, which in August made a statement supporting comments by Guernsey Police, in which they said that it was unlikely they would be able to enforce new speed limits with current resources.

Head of law enforcement Patrick Rice will be at a Home Affairs meeting with E&I in two weeks’ time. Deputy Lowe said she was surprised when she heard that E&I was pressing ahead with its plans before that meeting takes place.

‘Why they couldn’t wait a fortnight I have no idea,’ she said. ‘We sent them a draft agenda and we said that speed limits would be discussed.

‘Of course, we want roads to be safe. It’s a requirement for us to make sure that people are safe and secure on this island.

‘We’re there to administer the law, and it’s important that laws are meaningful.’

Her personal view is that common sense should help dictate a driver’s speed. ‘Common sense is that you drive to the conditions of the road,’ she said.