States in shambles
WHAT a shambles. I think Deputy David Jones should be put in charge as not one of the others knows what is going on. Some we only hear of near election time, and some others all they do is soundbites on TV and the Guernsey Press because that's all they are good for. Do they never look back and look at what they said?
Anyone that said the arrangement was good in Town and is now changing their mind should not be in a job in the States, never mind in charge of the Environment/Culture and Leisure Department etc., as one minute it's 'cruise ships they are great for the island' – can someone really say how much they do help the island and shops, apart from the cafes and buses? I have been on many tours and apart from a piece of cake and a coffee that's all you spend except if you're on a bus tour then you have lunch.
As for the changes to the crossing, no one in their right mind would do that. If we islanders put up with it for this long, and that's as far back as I can remember, why change for some ship that spends a few hours here for their own benefit? Send it back to the harbour and if necessary put a bus on for the four hours doing a circle back and forth free of charge as other places do in the world.
Also, I feel sorry for some of the planners as they are frightened to open their mouth and make a decision. They have to read from a piece of paper, they send you a name and phone number to speak to, but they will not answer in case they make a mistake.
It's ok if you are in the clique, then you can do what you like and they pass it, so when you take it on appeal it's not them. And it costs a lot of money for nothing for the poor hard-working trader and business people or home owner has to pay.
As for the traffic in Town, why not run a free bus from St Sampson's? Just one bus going round and back – again, free. That would cut out a lot of Town traffic. The Town bus could still do that and go along Queen's Road back to St Sampson's – it just takes a little thought.
Come on Deputy John Gollop, this one will be right up your street to get going with.
FRED KILPATRICK,
Merton House,
St Andrew's.
