Our way of life is being eroded
PETER Roffey and Janine le Sauvage – two canaries in Guernsey’s coalmine, both warning of a sharp decline in Guernsey’s way of life if current policies continue to be pursued. How did our cherished ‘jewel of the sea’ get into such a mess? When did the States of Guernsey start to ignore their role as careful guardians and start to interfere with institutions and policies which weren’t broke and didn’t need fixing? Just a few examples:
n The Grammar School, supported by parents and children for its ability to prepare state-educated students for the very top universities, closed and replaced at immense cost by a simplified education system for those with lower academic aspirations. One side-effect of this, already apparent, is Guernsey’s difficulty in attracting ambitious professionals – doctors, accountants, teachers etc – with families. Who would commit to the current educational shambles unless they could afford the colleges – assuming these were not already oversubscribed?
n The island’s remaining green fields to disappear under a creeping rash of faceless bungalows and car parking, with all the loss of wildlife and greenery that make life on Guernsey so special.
n The few unspoilt corners within walking distance of Town, like the beloved bathing pools, offered for inappropriate development when there is neither the need nor the parking.
n Characterful eating and drinking spots, part of the ‘glue’ of the community, sold off to be turned into yet more speculative projects.
n More unpopular fiddling with speed limits, parking spaces and traffic-calming measures to try to reduce the damage done by increasing numbers of cars (more vehicles per capita in Guernsey than anywhere in the UK, including London).
n The physical fabric of Guernsey – bathing pools, sea defences, cliff paths, granite walls – allowed to decay until the original cost of repair has gone up tenfold: eg. the sea wall at Fermain.
n Guernsey’s world-class concert hall, St James, falling into disrepair for lack of financial support from the States.
n Open-market status downgraded to the point it discourages offshore entrepreneurs from investing in new business start-ups.
Is it that our States members are bureaucratic seat-warmers who seldom get out and walk around the island they’re supposed to be safeguarding? Lacking appropriate education and wider experience? Too comfortable to go for anything but the low-hanging fruit? Whatever the cause, islanders have good reason to fear they are permitting actions the long-term results of which we may all live to regret.
It’s all about quality of life, which we all understand, even if the planners appear not to. It’s to do with the role that green spaces play in lifting the spirits of islanders, just as pubs do (see Saturday’s editorial, ‘A pub is not just any old building’). When it comes to the place you call home, what you treasure is not just a matter of making the numbers stack up – for all that the planners and developers may see it that way.
It’s time for the States of Guernsey to look to their original remit. Remember ‘Looking after our island home?’ That’s your job description, States members. Please don’t betray us.
NAME AND ADDRESS WITHHELD