Trams could be dream transport solution

There were many, many cars already parked and I thought for a slender moment that I would be late for work,. but no, there were several others walking the short distance form their car to a very slim lined single deck vehicle, seemingly to commence it's journey to St Peter Port.

But what was it? It was a tram, with rubber tyres, and no tracks to run on? That can't be true? But it was, and then, as that tram departed another took its place, and as that one was filling with passengers yet another appeared behind, in line for more travellers.

I thought what a brilliant service that must be throughout a busy commuter time each morning and evening so I jumped on just in time to slip away without a sound along the Bridge.

We departed in absolute silence and asking a fellow commuter what this was all about? He explained, 'while the vehicle could be used with varying engines this chosen method of new transport that had been introduced by the States of guernsey was being driven by battery power using lead acid or advanced lithium ion batteries, thereby guaranteeing no nasty emissions.

Apparently while they can be manufactured in many configurations and the one chosen was no wider than a car, and it can carry up to 30 passengers, but what was more advantageous it does not need a turning circle as there are driving positions at each end.'

For a brief moment I thought he was making up a story just to keep an old man happy.

But no, not only was there a dedicated traffic lane for the vehicle along the way it appeared that most of those who worked in St Peter Port had taken advantage of this new, comfortable, clean, exciting and environmentally perfect mode of transport, but best of all I saw very few cars along the same route omitting their usual fumes, while we collected more passengers at the half Way, gliding along, stopping just before the roundabout, then the Victoria Marina and into the bus station that I used to know, taking all of just eight minutes to complete my journey.

As most of us had alighted, I realised it was off again on its route to the bathing places, and then to commence its return journey.

Apparently it had travelled all the way from L'Ancresse Bay prior to stopping at the Bridge, thereby catering for all along the route.

I thought that while I travelled at a peak time there must be a continuous regular timetable operated during the day, with fewer in the later evenings and weekends.

What a dream.

That mode of transport would remove the need for an overflow of long term parking, allow a tram to encompass chosen routes with regular island tours, including short or full day trips for locals, visitors and cruise line passengers during the summer months and even transport all, especially the elderly, through the Pollet and High Street, stopping off along the way.

If the north to south route was introduced in the first instance what a relief there would be in no time, resolving countless issues that are met day by day, leaving school runs alone for the time being until such time as the first and other routes were found to be successful.

I could see those modern trams gradually solving all of the island's internal travel problems whether it be by car or public transport and well into the future, for it was smart, clean, comfortable, exciting and an environmentally perfect mode of transport.

Hang on, I just woke up, finding myself in the same position as I was when I fell into my slumber, still sat in my car and in the same traffic jam.

Was that a dream or a miracle?

Before I forgot details of my dream, and as I am still a busybody always ready to continue resolving other people's problems, also with the island well in need of a foolproof and an acceptable transport strategy to all I looked on the Internet to see who manufactured battery operated mini trams with normal tyres like my dream, and, blow me, I found one, so immediately put that company in touch with the Environment minister, and vice versa.

I found in my enquiry that the manufacturing company and its product had been filmed by the BBC some time ago and now it is shown on youtube battery severn-lamb mini tram.

what happened next remains a mystery and maybe someone could well ask questions of the Environment minister to enquire if any correspondence and/or discussions were held with the manufacturer, as I understood that they were keen to meet representatives of the environment Department, and if found suitable for the purpose, were prepared to consider sending one of their mini tram vehicles to the island in order to show members of the States and the general public for consideration.

Is it 'c'est la vie'?

TONY BRAN,

Borough Lodge,

Avenue Vivier,

St Peter Port,

GY1 1PG.