The prospect of the classification of the area around Rue des Goddards at Vazon, and the development of 50 housing units on the disused Whispers vinery site, are causing traffic concerns for residents.
They said at a parish meeting that the trialled closure of Rue de la Masse at school drop-off times – which many believe is clearly going to be made permanent – was sending more vehicles down Rue du Tertre and Rue des Goddards towards the coast.
‘Last night a number of people turned up to demonstrate their opposition to this, and for good reason, not because they just feel a bit threatened by further development here, but because they’re already experiencing problems,’ said Nick Guillemette, a resident of Rue des Goddards for more than 50 years, who was among those encouraging residents to express their concerns.
‘The roads are very narrow. The Coop up the road means there’s heavy delivery trucks up and down here frequently, and now we have much more traffic coming because of the school arrangements.
‘It means there’s only one way out and we’re seeing more traffic come down here. We’ve increased the number of cars by at least 100 every hour during that period – it’s more dangerous now.’
Mr Guillemette said he knew that residents would be totally opposed to the proposal, as was proved with a vote at the meeting.
‘And it’s not about “not in my backyard”.
'Around this area, within half a mile here of this radius of this vinery, you will count 13 estates that have been built in this area in the last 50 years.
'All that has added to the infrastructure pressures, and we know that there’s flooding potential.
'You add another 50 properties, that could be another 100 cars, another 200 people, all using the same facilities. It’s too much.’
He said residents had to contact deputies before the debate on 24 November.
‘The more they do that, the more notice will be taken. We did consider a petition, but it’s a waste of time.
‘The deputies see so many of these things that they get a bit blase about it.
‘It’s not because we’re against any future development, but this is the wrong spot.’