Seafront shut because of flood risk in rush hour
GUERNSEY POLICE has said it will close the seafront for at least two hours from 7.20 this morning due to flood risks created by a 10.2m tide.
The police advised travellers to avoid the west coast last night due to flood warnings and also closed the seafront for an hour yesterday morning and two hours yesterday evening.
The early-morning disruption caused traffic jams that stretched all the way to Route Militaire and saw traffic backed up Le Val des Terres.
The water began washing over the Quay in Town at 7am and had largely drained away by 8.40am, but by then the day’s commute had been significantly disrupted.
The closure ran from the Albert Pier to the roundabout and traffic was redirected up Fountain Street and St Julian’s Avenue by members of the Civil Protection Team.
The Met. Office said it was normal for there to be some ‘overlapping’ along the Quay on a 10.2m tide.
It has issued a tide warning for the west coast this morning due to force four to five winds.
Other low-lying areas of the island could also experience some flooding.
One parent was concerned his daughter’s school bus could be delayed for a second day in a row. He said his daughter had phoned him for a lift yesterday after the school bus had not turned up.
‘My daughter goes to school at La Mare and she called me at about 8.10[am] to say the bus hadn’t turned up yet.
‘It took me half an hour to get to her bus stop on St Julian’s Avenue from Salerie Corner and we did not get to school until 9.20.
‘There was only one Civil Protection officer blocking the seafront and no one warning traffic heading towards the roundabout from any direction so there was a jam.’
He was concerned that students could be left stranded.
‘What happens if their parents were at work and couldn’t come?
‘These kids must catch the bus because their parents can’t take them to work.
When asked if we could expect similar disruptions today, a spokesman for Guernsey Buses said it was aware the seafront could experience further disruptions.
‘Yesterday morning the Town seafront was closed by Guernsey Police and this did have an impact on services.
‘No dedicated school buses were cancelled, but would have been diverted away from seafront if instructed.
‘There were delays to many public service buses as the additional diversions in the Town area at this time in the morning does take time.
‘Three services were cancelled as delays impacted the network.’
The company said concerned travellers could call their helpline on 700456.
