Tuesday 10 February 2015
Guernsey Press Enquiry:
In regard to our conversation, can the department please answer the following:
- - A meeting was held last night about traffic issues around Capelles, during which it was mentioned that lowering the speed limit to 20mph around all schools was being considered. I wondered if the department could expand on this. What is the current stage of the plan, would in be primary and secondary schools? Why is the move being considered? When is it likely to be introduced? Would it be trialled at certain schools, if so, which ones? How much public consultation, if any, will be undertaken?
- How far away from the schools would the move be enforced - ie, would it be just roads adjacent to the schools. Would it just be in term time / school hours?
- - In terms of speed cameras, would the department consider purchasing them to put in place around schools. If so, why. If not, why not? Would the department consider buying a single camera and moving it about the island to try and curb speeding near schools.
- - What other ways of tackling traffic around schools are being considered?
- Please add any other commentary the department would like, especially anything to do with issues around Capelles - the meeting was held by the Active Travel Unit, and they were given feedback from options to take forward. Can the department please state what the next step on that front will be. This is planned in for tomorrow's paper, so if you could please reply by 4pm today, I would be grateful.
Sorry, but one final question. I have just met with the owner of Aladdin's Cave, who owns a field running alongside the road, and he said he is willing to offer the land for use as a pavement. Said he had suggested it to the Active Travel Unit, and I wondered if you could please get a response to this specific point. Will the department be taking him up on the offer - if so, what is the timetable and if not, why not?
Environment Department Response:
The Road Safety Officer from the Environment Department's Active Travel Unit was invited to a meeting last night, organised by Living Streets, to listen to concerns from residents regarding pedestrian safety in the area of Capelles School and to discuss possible options for improvement. There was a wide range of views expressed by members of the public at the meeting and these will be considered when compiling a report on the practicalities of introducing such changes, which will be presented to the Environment Board for consideration in due course.
Whilst an offer to cede land for possible pavement widening is understood to have been made to the Department, any such option would need to be considered as part of an overall review of what could realistically be done to improve safety for vulnerable road users in the area without unduly impacting on traffic movements.
The Road Safety Officer mentioned during the meeting that as part of its Integrated Transport Strategy the Department was reviewing the appropriateness of existing speed limits, particularly around schools. One of the options would be to consider introducing a lower speed limit of 20mph (which is consistent with many speed limits around schools in the UK), possibly on a part-time basis. The current speed limit in the vicinity of most Island schools is 25mph with the exception of St. Sampson's High which is part of the 20mph cordon that encompasses Baubigny, Oatlands and Les Effards. It should also be noted that there is already a restriction in place on the movement of certain large vehicles in the vicinity of Capelles school during 'school times' but with certain sections of the road being so narrow even with two fairly large cars there is often a need to mount the pavement.
In terms of speed cameras, this is an enforcement matter which falls under the jurisdiction of the Police. However, the Department does work closely with the Police and where possible resources are allocated to areas of heightened risk.
In relation to other initiatives aimed at tackling traffic issues around schools, the Active Travel Unit is working on the following:
Meeting with staff and parents at a number of schools to develop Travel plans, to reduce the dependence on the car for trips to/from school;
- Investigating the potential for installing more cycle/pedestrian infrastructure in the area of schools to encourage more people to cycle/walk to school;
- Handing out literature to advise motorists of the dangers and illegal practice of parking on pavements and pavement surfing;
- Making improvements to zebra crossings, including the installation of dedicated street lighting;
- Making improvements at signalised and zebra crossings to ensure that the height of the kerbs adjacent to the crossings have been dropped to make it easier for people with a disability as well as anyone using pushchairs or buggies etc to safely use the crossing. Works of this nature have recently been undertaken at the zebra crossing at Hougues Magues Road/Route des Capelles (near Capelles School).
Contact Information:
Karl Guille, Traffic and Transport Services Manager
Environment Department
Tel: 243400
