Tranquil island just unrealistic

I agree, the roads were very quiet and it was certainly very pleasant to drive to La Vallette bathing places for my daily swim at just gone seven in the morning. There were also no traffic jams on my way back home an hour or so later.

That, of course, was the only time I went out during the day, as all the shops and businesses were closed, including my own. Because schools, shops, cafes and all businesses were closed, there was nowhere for anyone to go. Fortunately, the weather was sunny and warm, so people treated the lockdown as a bit of a holiday and they entertained their children with rides out on their pushbikes for something to do. Of course, some children on bikes were very young and, in a number of cases, too young to be out on the main road, even with reduced traffic.

After the lockdown ‘holiday’, which did feel very nice for a while, you do eventually realise that as nice and peaceful and idyllic as it was, things could not go on like that for too long. Life has to move on. As much as Rosie Dorey would like to see an island with virtually no cars and more pushbikes, she must have realised as soon as the tradespeople were allowed to go back to work that the roads were rapidly filling up with vans and lorries, all of which are necessary to allow contractors to carry on their daily work.

I must admit, it’s a strange old world really. Not long ago, climate change activists were persuading governments, including our own, to ditch the car and use public transport. In fact, Guernsey subsidises the buses for that very purpose. Now, however, they advise us not to use public transport as it’s not a safe way to travel due to the virus. They now suggest riding to work or driving. People were also encouraged to supply their own cups when buying coffee or tea at outlets rather than disposable cups. Now, you have to have a disposable cup, again due to the virus. It’s a good thing everyone hadn’t all sold their cars and manufacturers hadn’t stopped making disposable cups.

I agree with Rosie Dorey; the island was very peaceful and idyllic during lockdown and I too would love that tranquillity to remain, but we have to realise that, in order for a small island with around 63,000 people to function, you unfortunately have to have a certain amount of noise and some congestion. Trying to reduce traffic by raising fuel prices only raises all other prices, such as deliveries and construction costs etc. You also have to remember that not everyone is fit and able to travel on pushbikes, due to age, illness or disability.

I think to get peace and quiet in an island you have to go to Herm or Sark. I see were she is coming from, but this is a working island with many people. Perhaps too many.

NAME AND ADDRESS WITHHELD.