Constables call for greater monitoring of Town scaffolding
A LIST of scaffolding work should be made available for the public, St Peter Port constable Zoe Lihou has said.
The parish has been addressing concerns about some of the long-term scaffolding around Town, some of which blocks pavements.
Mrs Lihou believed a list detailing the reason for scaffolding being erected, the location, and the start and finish times for the works would be beneficial and show scaffolding was being monitored.
‘I think the people who are affected can better understand why a structure is impacting on their environment if they are informed,’ she said.
‘I accept we need scaffolding, but I’m concerned there isn’t a start or stop time – is that being monitored?’
Although no comment was given by the States, the Health & Safety Executive has said a public list would not be possible at this time, and issues would be discussed with the douzaine directly in the first instance.
‘The structures are not exactly private as they are visually evident. I am frustrated and do not understand why the background workings are “secret squirrel club” only,’ Mrs Lihou said.
‘We are taking people’s thoughts and opinions seriously.’
A key issue highlighted by parishioners was the length of time scaffolding next to Town Butchers in Fountain Street had been up for, as pedestrians are forced to walk in the often busy road.
‘We want to make it accessible and safe like with the work at Red [the restaurant] – it was very safe and akin to major towns and cities,’ Mrs Lihou said.
She said she was told the scaffolding by Town Butchers was due to instability at the front of the building, and wanted to know who was accountable for delays in States’ decisions on structurally unsound buildings being held up by scaffolding.
‘We’ve been a bit relaxed this year with Covid and less people coming to the island,’ she said.
‘The regeneration of Town will mean more scaffolding in the future so we need a different system.’
