Plans to make dangerous junction at Bordeaux safer

Concerns had been raised about the corner that joins Rue du Bordeaux to Castle Road due to the overgrowth of grass blocking drivers’ views of pedestrians around the bend.

An unknown person has taken to the corner and strimmed the overgrown grass making the visibility of pedestrians better for drivers.

Traffic & Highway Services does not have responsibility for overgrown coastal vegetation, but does look after road safety.

‘We receive a significant number of requests to investigate road safety and traffic management matters,’ said Roads and Traffic Management manager Phil Ogier.

‘Inevitably this means that we must prioritise resources carefully.

‘In the case of Rue de Bordeaux, Traffic & Highway Services do not have responsibility for the coastal vegetation on the dunes, but there may well be measures that can be implemented on the road that could bring about improvements for pedestrian safety.

‘A member of the team will be contacting the senior constable in the coming days to discuss the options.’

Vale senior constable Richard Leale said they had received a number of complaints from people who have come close to being knocked over on the corner, as motorist tend to cut the corner as they round it travelling into Castle Road.

‘People have no alternative other than walking in the road as they have to come off the coastal path right on the bend,’ he said.

‘Traffic are aware of our concerns, but say this junction is a long way down on the list to do.

‘We requested a painted footpath or line around the corner to encourage drivers to take a wider line.

‘Traffic are not willing to do this, though painted footpath lines appear to work elsewhere.’

A parish contractor had been due to cut the grass back, which had grown bushy after a wet summer, but an unknown person had got there first and strimmed the overgrowth back.

Residents of the area were concerned about their safety when walking on the road.

‘That corner has always been an absolute nightmare with drivers coming round too fast, and the grass has made what was a problem even worse,’ said a nearby resident, who asked to remain unnamed.

‘I’ve written to the douzaine and suggested them decreasing the speed limits, putting a pavement in, or making it a filter to slow traffic completely.

‘I just hope they do something before it’s to late.’

Visitors to the island have been shocked by the lack of pavements.

‘I think it’s dangerous. At home we have pavements on both sides and there are none here,’ said Patricia Gerards, who was on holiday from Germany with her two daughters.

Other visitors to the island have said that more should be done to make people feel safe when using the roads.

‘The authorities should take responsibility for things like this,’ said Paul Colley, who is visiting the island with his wife Julie from Australia.