Monday 06 August 2012
Environment Department response to a media enquiry from Guernsey Press.
Guernsey Press Enquiry:
Please see below for a picture of The Strand. Could we have a response from the Department to this please.
We've spoken to residents who are very unhappy with it, did the department have knowledge of/give permission for it?
If yes, why?
If no, what action are you taking?
Environment Department Response:
By way of introduction I should firstly explain that road closures are approved by the Environment Department in accordance with the requirements of The Public Highways (Co-ordination of Temporary Road Closures etc) Law, 2003 and that any subsequent permissions to erect structures on or over the public highway is a matter for the Commerce and Employment Department under The Public Highways Ordinance, 1967.
With that in mind, I can confirm that in April of this year the Environment Department received an application for a road closure to commence from 1 May 2012 for a period of one year in order to enable a new building to be constructed on a previously undeveloped strip of land in The Strand. The approval for this closure was subsequently granted after being assessed by staff of the Traffic Services Unit. The proposed closure of the road was displayed on the road works planning system (IRIS) which is made available to the Parish Constables as part of the usual consultation process. A full road closure has been approved from 1 May 2012 - 30 April 2013.
On Saturday 28 July, hoarding was allegedly erected across the entire road by contractors to protect pedestrians from the building works. This was carried out without our knowledge or consent, although as previously mentioned such works are sanctioned under Health and Safety as opposed to Road Closure legislation. It is understood that permission for this work had not previously been granted but, that following a site inspection, the necessary permissions were granted under The Public Highways Ordinance.
In the knowledge that pedestrian access is no longer available, suitable signs have now been put in place to warn pedestrians of the closure.
With regard to the emergency services, the Department regularly communicates road closure information in order that they can plan access to properties that are within closed roads as an operational matter.
Further Information
The Strand is a very narrow public thoroughfare linking Cornet Street (via Cliff Street) with Havelet. On the eastern edge of the road are a number of Town properties that are perched on the edge of a steep rock face leading down to the South Esplanade. The road is designated as a prohibited street and access to vehicular traffic is therefore by permit only.
The road is difficult to access and is used exclusively by residents of the street or those persons with an appropriate permit making specific deliveries to the area.
There have been a number of building refurbishments undertaken in this road in recent years which, because of the tight confines of the area, has resulted in a fair degree of unavoidable inconvenience for residents.
Unfortunately, given the extremely tight confines of the area and the lack of an alternative pedestrian route around the development, it is not always possible to maintain vehicular or pedestrian access to such areas whilst building works of this nature are being undertaken.
Contact Information:
Karl Guille, Traffic and Transport Services Manager
Environment Department
Tel: 01481 243 400
