Are Vale Road works connected to possible housing developments?
AS A resident of the Vale Road, we are now four weeks into the three-month roadworks. Is it very disruptive with all the traffic diversions and endless delays? Yes. Could the works not be done at night to avert this disruption? No. Are the works necessary? Possibly.
It was printed in the Press on 27 October 2017 that ‘the existing sewer and manholes will be replaced’. I would like to know if there is somebody from the States of Guernsey or Guernsey Water who can categorically deny that the replacement of these pipes is nothing to do with a ‘proposed’ new development opposite the St Sampson’s douzaine office and/or the ‘proposed’ development of 150-200 new houses at Pointes Rocques.
ANDY REDWOOD,
Vale Road.
Editor’s footnote: Mark Walker, capital delivery manager, Guernsey Water, replies: Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to respond to this letter.
We apologise for the disruption this work is causing some residents and commuters in the area.
I know that road closures are an inconvenience, but hope that islanders understand the necessity for utilities and other service providers to carry out essential work in order to provide an efficient and modern infrastructure for all residents and visitors to the island.
The Vale Road work is a significant part of an overall scheme to address sewerage issues mainly in the St Sampson’s area north of Southside. This has been designed to reduce the risk of foul flooding of properties in Vale Road and surrounding areas.
Although the overall St Sampson’s project is aimed at addressing pollution, flooding and maintenance issues, it would have been negligent of us to have not considered any potential development in the area at the same time.
As the sewerage problems were in the catchment to the north of Southside, the main consideration was the possible development in this area as outlined in the Island Development Plan, the largest of which is at ‘Leales Yard’, although other sites of 50-plus prospective houses were also considered.
Guernsey Water confirms that neither the Vale Road work nor the other three phases within the St Sampson drainage improvement project has looked at any specific developments with regard to formal planning proposals. If, and when, development proposals are submitted to the States for approval, any matters around water supply or sewage collection and disposal will be considered via the normal planning protocol and consultation.