Cars parked on public road need to be roadworthy

We would love to see an amendment to the current law which allows any vehicle to be parked on a public road whatever its condition, for as long as the owner chooses. Surely it needs to be in a roadworthy condition so it could be driven away? Many years ago, families could park in Fermain Road and take dogs for a walk, visit the beach and enjoy a day out – and then go home. Now we find people are dumping ancient vehicles there for as long as three years, with flat tyres and moss growing out of the cracked windscreens and leaving no space for others. The batteries are clearly flat and the vehicles can never be driven away. Ever. But when we report them to the police their hands are tied as the owners leave a valid insurance disc on display. Do the insurance companies even know that the vehicles are not roadworthy?

As a result, these days there is never space for visiting essential workmen such as electricians, plumbers, builders or postmen – let alone visiting friends. And certainly no room for the general public with their dogs and small children who want to visit Bluebell Woods and cliff walks above Fermain Bay – which incidentally is listed as one of Guernsey’s treasured beauty spots by the Tourist Board. All because of the selfish behaviour of the few who have decided to steal this public space as their own private car park, for as long as they wish.

Advise from any authority on how this situation can be resolved would be gratefully received – some sort of long-term car park for those who need to be off island for weeks at a time would be a start. And a rule that only roadworthy cars can be left on public roads.

The Fermain Resident Group