Recent incidents of continued risky road use – including moving barriers, bypassing diversions, ignoring closures, or attempting to squeeze past workers and machinery – have prompted the police to take action on behalf of utilities and contractors.
They said that it also put pedestrians and motorists themselves at risk.
Throughout April, islanders can expect to see more traffic wardens and officers patrolling sites, offering advice or even issuing tickets and taking enforcement action, particularly during peak rush hour times.
Coined Operation Columbia, the initiative is running in collaboration with Traffic & Highways and utility companies.
‘While we fully understand that road closures can be frustrating and that it may be tempting to treat temporary signs like polite suggestions, they are not optional – they override all permanent signage and are there to keep workers safe,’ said traffic management officer Chris Dragun.
‘Because our essential infrastructure is buried under the road surface, these works can’t be avoided. Despite repeated appeals, a small group of people continue to ignore the signs. As a result, the police will now be running targeted operations to enforce the closures. Please help us keep our teams safe and get the road reopened quicker, your cooperation is genuinely appreciated.’
Active roadworks often involve heavy machinery, open excavations, and exposed utilities, meaning any unauthorised access can have severe consequences. When a road closed sign is in place, the road is closed to all traffic except for access to properties and authorised site vehicles. If the sign reads ‘except cycles’ – cyclists can pass with care.
John Tostevin, health & safety lead at Guernsey Electricity, said that while the company has been carrying out essential work – upgrading the electricity network and infrastructure – its teams have experienced several dangerous incidents.
‘These include vehicles attempting to drive through active excavations where trenches contain live electricity cables,’ he said.
‘Taking a shortcut through a closure could seriously endanger one of our team, or yourself.’
Jon Holt, operations manager at Guernsey Water, seconded this message. ‘When people ignore closures, they potentially place our people in danger – and our people deserve to go home to their family safely every single day,’ he said.
‘Don't take a chance thinking you can get through.’
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