Montague concerned about road safety at Hautes Capelles

Measures have been put in place outside various schools to reduce motor vehicle speed or encourage alternative forms of transport.

Education president Paul Montague praised Environment & Infrastructure for those measures but wanted to know what more was being done ‘to ensure good road safety around our schools’.

He was particularly concerned about Hautes Capelles, which is located along Marette Road, where pedestrians are regularly endangered by vehicles pavement surfing.

‘Road safety is a priority for this committee, especially around schools and where we’ve got vulnerable people travelling,’ said E&I president Adrian Gabriel.

‘We have implemented School Streets in other places, but we will prioritise based on data collection, and that is one of the first steps.’

In his first statement to the Assembly since taking over as E&I president in July, Deputy Gabriel identified ‘sustainable transport and mobility’ as one of seven themes on which his committee would focus during its four-year term.

He acknowledged that adapting the island’s road network to meet modern needs was often difficult and sometimes unpopular, but that would not stop his committee.

‘We must ensure our roads are safe and accessible for all,’ he said.

‘For our children walking to school, for our elderly navigating busy junctions, for those living with disabilities, and for each of us who rely on these networks daily.

‘Initiatives such as School Streets have shown that thoughtful change can deliver real benefits, improving safety and enhancing community wellbeing.’

The School Streets scheme has been used in various places around the world to suspend motor traffic access to roads outside schools, especially during drop-off and pick-up times.

The scheme has been set up permanently at St Martin’s Primary and trials have been held near La Houguette Primary, St Sampson’s High and Les Beaucamps High Schools.