Friday 11 May 2012
Environment Department response to media enquiry from Guernsey Press.
Guernsey Press enquiry:
Several extra questions following your previous response.
I'm assuming Lagan has had to pay for the installation of the lights, can the department confirm this? If the department is paying for them, how much are they?
It seems strange to put permanent lights in for a couple of years and then take them down, will the department monitor the situation and consider leaving them there after the airport work is finished?
Does the department think the lights will help deter 'kevs' from speeding along Bulwer Avenue, which is a notorious stretch of road?
Has Environment considered the impact the lights might have on the commuter traffic during rush hour in the mornings and evenings?
Are the lights operated on a timings basis or are they sensory?
They story is currently planned in for tomorrow's paper. Therefore if you could respond by 4pm that would be great.
Environment Department response:
Any traffic management costs arising from the granting of Planning Approval for the Airport Pavements Project are the responsibility of the contractor, Lagan. Any questions regarding the cost of these matters should be referred to Lagan or the Public Services Department.
The lights at Bulwer Avenue are required for the duration of the haul element of the project during which significant volumes of aggregate will be transported between Longue Hougue Reclamation site and the Airport. Accordingly, traffic signals will remain in place at the junction for a period of approximately two years. There is currently no intention of retaining these signals at the end of the contract period but this could change in the event that the longer-term use of Longue Hougue becomes clearer in the intervening period and in the event that it is determined that future vehicle movements would warrant the retention of traffic signals. At present the junction is being controlled by a set of temporary 'mobile' signals but a more visible and robust set of signals, including primary and secondary signal heads for each arm of the junction, will be installed in the coming weeks.
The principal purpose of installing traffic signals at this time is to regulate the increasing flow of traffic through this busy junction and, in particular, to address the potential conflict between two very diversely opposed forms of transport, namely slow moving fully laden heavy goods vehicles exiting Longue Hougue and fast moving cars and motorcycles travelling along Bulwer Avenue, particularly during hours of darkness when visibility at the junction is more restricted. However, it is acknowledged that the installation of traffic signals will, by their very nature, result in reduced traffic speeds on the approaches to the junction.
With regard to the potential impact of the signals on commuter traffic during rush hour periods, it is expected that the overall time required for travelling between St Sampson's and St Peter Port (and vice-versa) will not be unduly affected. That is not to say that queues will not develop along Bulwer Avenue but any additional time spent queuing there will not necessarily be repeated to the same degree at The Half Way or on The Bridge (depending on your route) had the signals not been in place at Bulwer Avenue as the overall volumes of traffic are essentially the same.
In order to minimise any disruption at Bulwer Avenue the traffic signals are timed to prioritise movements on the main road and shorter phases for Longue Hougue and Longue Hougue Lane are only introduced on demand.
The introduction of positive traffic management control at Bulwer Avenue is considered to represent the safest possible solution for the management of site traffic through this junction.
Contact Information:
Karl Guille, Traffic and Transport Services Manager
Environment Department
Tel: 243400
