Constables furious as High Street is dug up
St Peter Port constables were furious yesterday when Guernsey Electricity started digging up the Commercial Arcade and High Street without informing them.
They rejected earlier suggestions from the utility that it had consulted parish officials before restricting access to the roads to allow it to replace low voltage power cables and improve electricity infrastructure. The work is due to take place until the middle of July.
‘We had no notification from them that this was going to take place. The first I knew about it was when I read it in the Guernsey Press,’ said St Peter Port junior constable Jenny Tasker.
‘We have already received a complaint in the office, which creates a nuisance for us.
'We have not been consulted and I am exceedingly disappointed about that.’
Mrs Tasker had concerns about limited access as a result of the works, particularly for emergency service vehicles, although she conceded that there was one advantage.
‘I think the only good thing is that these massive vehicles are not allowed to drive down. There are concerns about the cellars underneath the highway, which is why vehicles can’t drive on Commercial Arcade,’ she said.
‘I think that if they can find a way not to have to drive down High Street it would be better for shoppers and the cobbles.’
The Guernsey Press spoke to numerous businesses in the area which said they did not expect the work to affect their footfall, but they have been required to make changes to deliveries as no vehicles will be allowed through High Street. Smith Street has temporarily been made two-way.
Guernsey Electricity said that the cables were laid in 1949 and needed to be upgraded or replaced. Alternative routes were being set up to limit disruption.
‘We will do our best to avoid disruption during peak times, such as Christmas and cruise ship season, and appreciate your understanding and patience at this crucial stage of our island’s development,’ said the utility in an email sent to Town businesses.
The first cruise ship of the season arrived yesterday.
Up to 200 passengers on Silver Endeavour disembarked in Town yesterday, once it had arrived in the island at lunchtime.
Nearly 50 more cruise ships are expected to visit the island between now and 19 July, which is when the final phase of work in High Street is expected to conclude.
