Halfway can’t handle any more traffic
I RECENTLY read the traffic impact assessment for the potential Kenilworth Vinery development; I wasn’t particularly convinced by it. There was a very generous amount of beautifully presented data all pointing to the conclusion that all is well with the world and that any increase in traffic will have minimal effect.
Among all this chaff I did find one very significant item that should be of concern to all of us living in the north of the island. Based on committed developments, which appear to me to only be Leale’s Yard first phase and Tertre Lane, the Halfway junction will operate at 125% of capacity in the morning rush hour and 126% of capacity in the evening rush hour.
I would be delighted to find out that I am wrong, but so far as I can work out, not included in the calculations are Pointues Rocques, Cleveleys, Camp Dolent, Le Maresquet, Leale’s Yard second phase, or any other current/potential development in the north. 80% of vehicle trips generated are assumed to use the Halfway junction, so that all adds up to a massive overload on a junction that is the gateway to (and from) the north of the island.
As the Halfway junction becomes more and more overloaded, drivers will seek alternative routes, which inevitably means more vehicles passing through Capelles, probably not ideal while there is still a primary school there.
In addition to traffic emanating from new housing developments, there will be considerable extra traffic generated by the extension to St Sampson’s High School; to make things worse, the pupils are not going to be allowed to ride scooters to school.
There has been a shocking lack of foresight and we in the north are going to bear the brunt of this myopia.
MARTYN TORODE
La Milleaux Maisaon,
La Route du Braye,
Vale,
GY3 5QS.
Editor’s footnote: a spokesman from the Development & Planning Authority replies:
All feedback submitted through the recent consultation process will be carefully considered by the Development & Planning Authority, along with expert advice from Traffic & Highway Services, before any decision on the development framework is made.
Similar points to those made in the reader’s letter have been received by the D&PA and, therefore, will
be considered through the formal process.