E&I's plan 'will make transport flow better in the north'
ENVIRONMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE has pledged to do more to enhance traffic flow in the north of the island even as it prepares for significantly more housebuilding over the next few years.
The committee is expected to unveil a long-awaited ‘Better Transport Plan’ in the next few weeks.
Vice-president Adrian Gabriel said that rather than piecemeal solutions, the plan would offer a coordinated way forward.
‘The plan will mean government committees, developers and landowners working together – something that is already starting to happen,’ he said.
‘We know Guernsey needs to build more homes, especially to keep our young people and our key workers here to support our economy.
‘While the impact on traffic has always been a concern for new developments in the north, the Better Transport Plan will take a different approach to smooth the way for that much needed housing to come forward.’
E&I said that over time, residents would see improvements such as new footpaths and safer crossing points, cycle paths, one-way roads with contraflows, streets for access to properties only rather than for through-traffic, targeted road widening, junction improvements, improved signage, more bus shelters with better bus routes and schedules and even a travel app.
‘It’s about connecting the dots,’ said Deputy Gabriel, ‘figuratively and actually, by creating links for all modes of transport between, in and around the new development sites in the north of the island, giving current and future residents of the area better options for getting around.’
E&I president Lindsay de Sausmarez has told the States that she expects that the strategy would be a key enabler for the significant volume of new homes expected to be developed around the bridge.
‘We all know how urgently those homes are needed, but more homes mean even more pressure on our roads unless we do transport differently,’ she said.
‘Our current transport system cannot just scale up to that extent, space is too limited and our infrastructure too inherently constrained to add that much traffic into a road network that already struggles to cope with current levels of vehicle use.’
She added that the Guernsey Development Agency was looking at developing a mobility hub for the area which could provide parking, charging for electric vehicles, shared ‘car clubs’, secure bike storage, a bus interchange, a cafe retail space and the possibility of a wider range of services, such as a concierge desk to take any deliveries.
‘We need to give people more viable options around how they travel,’ she said, ‘so that those that want to make journeys by bus or bike can do so.
‘More choice means more people can choose different ways of getting around, creating more space on the road, including for those who still want or need to drive.’
