Tree down on diversion adds to chaos near the airport

Strong winds brought down a conifer tree which led to the emergency closure of La Villiaze Road at about 1pm.

The road was shut for about two hours while the owner of the property from which the tree fell dealt with it.

Winds of more than 50mph – severe gale force nine – were recorded around the time the tree fell.

The issue was yet another headache for road users, who already face a lengthy diversion to reach the airport from the east of the island.

The road between Forest Stores and the Chene traffic lights has been closed since 12 February while Guernsey Electricity upgrades cabling.

Motorists were originally diverted past the Little Chapel, then past the Farmhouse and Bruce Russell.

But a damaged culvert on Route de St Andre saw the road past the chapel shut indefinitely last week, and vehicles instead sent along La Villiaze.

With today’s incident, which was close to the runway, cars were diverted into the narrow lanes to the north of La Villiaze.

But that was not an option for buses.

The 71, 91, 92, 93, 94 and 95 bus routes were all impacted, with the 93, 94 and 95 only able to go as far as St Martin’s before heading back to Town.

The road had fully opened by 3pm.