Sign of times questions the length of Vale road closure
A SIGN mocking the expected finishing date of a drainage improvement project has been erected on a road closure hoarding in the Vale.
It is not known who put up the wooden sign, which has the years 2018, 2019 and 2020 written on it, with 2018 having been crossed out.
It is located on the corner of Castle Road and Rue du Bordeaux, where the traffic is diverted due to works being undertaken on Summerfield Road.
Vale’s senior constable, Richard Leale, said he could appreciate the humour of the sign, but said he had not received any comments or complaints from the public.
‘I think the population of Guernsey have become very resigned to the fact that anything to do with Guernsey’s roads is going to be problematic,’ he said.
‘What’s the use of complaining when Environment & Infrastructure are anti-car, even though they say they aren’t.’
The road has been closed due to ongoing work on Guernsey Water’s drainage improvement project and is not expected to reopen until later in January.
This is the third phase of four in the project and part of the utility’s £5m. investment to improve the drainage in the area.
Mr Leale said he was sure everything was being done to finish the improvements as quickly as possible.
‘Summerfield Road works are beset with granite problems due to the depth of working and I expect the contractors are doing their best,’ he said.
‘If the work wasn’t being done and the road continued to flood, people wouldn’t be happy.
‘[It’s] a case of damned if I do and damned if I don’t.
Traffic & Highway Services said the Summerfield Road improvements were supposed to start in August, but were delayed due to other significant issues during the La Hure Mare sewer project with digging through granite.
‘Therefore, Summerfield Road only closed on 20 November,’ it said.
‘The length of time for this project has remained the same.
‘The road closed on 20 November and is due to be closed until 25 January.
‘The western end of the road was closed earlier in 2018 for JT works (network for Guernsey Electricity).
‘Traffic & Highways always does look to coordinate projects in a close vicinity, but unfortunately this wasn’t feasible.
‘Guernsey Water had to come from La Hure Mare direction and JT were from La Route du Braye.’
