La Vieille Rue, which is a popular two-way shortcut, will be closed to traffic on weekdays from 8am to 8.30am and 3pm to 3.30pm – except for those who are cycling, emergency vehicles, and for residential use.
The trial is part of a scheme to promote the use of alternative transport for pupils – including walking and cycling – to provide a safer and healthier school journeys.
Such streets are already in place at St Martin’s and La Houguette schools, but St Sampson’s will be the first local secondary school.
The trial launches next Thursday – the first day of term.
‘We’ve identified La Vieille Rue as the road with the greatest potential to reduce traffic, improve safety and encourage more students and staff to walk or cycle to school,’ said high school principal Vicky Godley.
‘I’m looking forward to seeing the impact.’
La Vieille Rue residents spoken to by the Guernsey Press have welcomed the scheme.
‘That’s good, it’s annoying the amount of traffic that use it as a rat run’ said Sue Hooper.
‘You get bikes and cars speeding down all the time, trying to make a shortcut – but it is a lane and a Ruette Tranquille, it should just be for school use and people that live here.’
Her neighbour Emma Savident agreed.
‘I think it’s a really good idea, the traffic through here is horrendous,’ she said.
‘It’s a nightmare trying to get out of our drive.’
Resident Nick Whalley said he was open to the idea, but would have liked to have been informed about it beforehand.
‘Anything that makes the island safer and more pleasant is a good thing,’ he said.
‘If it’s going to calm things down, then that’s positive.
'The news is a surprise to us, though.
‘We’ve not been told anything about it, so I’m tentatively positive but would like to know more.
'I’m interested to know how it’s going to be enforced.’
Traffic & Highway Services will monitor the trial and share findings with Environment & Infrastructure Committee, who will decide whether to continue the trial officially for 12 months.
‘Encouraging people to use alternative transport where appropriate is one of our key objectives,’ said Traffic & Highway Services road safety officer Paul James.
The street is also home to the local landscaping company, Diamond Group Ltd.
It had no concerns that the scheme would affect its business.
‘It’s a good cause,’ said the company’s director Vincent Correia.
‘We can work around it.’
The trial will conclude on Friday 24 October.
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