There used to be a hard opposition to scaffolding being in situ in key visitor areas of town, controlled by the parish, but that has been softened in recent years, with parish constables reduced to merely questioning the extent of scaffolding works.
There is currently scaffolding shrouding three shop frontages in the High Street alone.
Current regulations say that the erection of scaffolding is discouraged in the town centre between 1 May and 15 September to minimise disruption during the visitor season.
Exceptions would be allowed if deemed essential work.
Permission is granted by the Health & Safety Executive and Traffic & Highway Services, which issues permits for scaffolding on the public highway.
But St Peter Port constable Diane Mitchell said the douzaine had heard that the rules were being abused, with scaffolding erected before the May deadline to take advantage of the drier months with no start schedule in place for the work.
She said that the douzaine agreed that scaffolding is unsightly, particularly when left surrounding a building for any period of time, such as at the former Slaughterhouse building.
‘We need some joined-up thinking between the States departments responsible for the beauty of the island, volunteers, the douzaine and the public to make improvements,’ she said.
Mrs Mitchell said that she was also disappointed at the response to a parish-initiated clear-up last weekend at Corbin Steps at the Canichers, which was carried out by douzaine volunteers.
‘We are also keen to tidy and improve St Peter Port, but a day later they were littered with hundreds of cigarette butts and we would appeal to residents to do their part and take litter home.’
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