Planters set to return to stop cars from using Rue a L’Or

PLANTERS will be returning to Rue a L’Or soon, as Traffic & Highway Services intends to push ahead with its plans.

These planters belonging to St Peter Port were used to block Rue a L'Or then later removed. Traffic & Highway Services intends to replace them with planters of its own.

The narrow St Peter Port road near the Princess Elizabeth Hospital was made a prohibited street in 2020, in a bid to stop motorists using it as a rat run.

But the warning signs and intermittent police crack downs have not been enough to stop motorists.

In October, T&HS took several of St Peter Port’s black planters without permission and put them in the road to block access.

These were promptly removed by confused parish officials, who were concerned about the planters’ visibility.

But T&HS is going to try again.

‘Having had no further concerns raised by local residents or other stakeholders, we will be installing new planters to continue to enable islanders to use this route when they are walking, running or cycling, whilst directing through traffic along roads which are more suitable for vehicles,’ said a spokesman.

‘Whether islanders use this road for travelling to work, to school or to the hospital, its status as a prohibited street enables us to enjoy it safely and encourages active travel.

‘This is in line with the integrated transport strategy which seeks to facilitate safe, convenient, accessible and affordable travel options for all the community, which are time and energy efficient, enhance public health and the environment and minimise pollution.’

One of the big concerns when the planters were installed unexpectedly earlier this year was their lack of visibility, as there is little light in the road and they are black.

It is understood T&HS will be getting its own planters for the second attempt, but it has not been revealed what colour they will be.

‘We’ve listened to the feedback about the low visibility of the planters which were originally installed and will be including reflective strips on the new planters to address this problem,’ he said.

‘These planters will be installed when we receive the materials and we will provide local residents with plenty of notice when they are ready to be installed.’

T&HS has been liaising with St Peter Port parish.

Constable Zoe Lihou was originally left having to hurriedly organise the pick up of their planters in October, after they were taken without permission from parish property. She welcomed the better communication this time around.