Mum raises road safety concerns over housing plans

One resident in the north of Guernsey says she no longer lets her children walk alone due to safety concerns

A family in the north of Guernsey says safety is a "real issue" due to speeding motorists in the area and believes plans for more housing will only make it worse.

Claire, who has lived in Saltpans Road for four years, said she no longer walked her children up the road after a number of incidents involving traffic.

She said her nine-year-old son was nearly hit by a speeding car while walking and then he was verbally abused. She is concerned new infrastructure for housing will create added danger for active travel.

The States of Guernsey said enabling housing was a top priority and part of the work was to create new infrastructure in the area to ease pressure on existing roads.

However, Claire said residents who have lived in the area for 40 years have noticed a difference in the road, with more congestion and it was now far busier.

"As it stands, it's not safe to walk or active travel. There are over 700 houses and some of the plans we are looking up to 1,200 houses being built a stone's throw from where we live.

"Residents are finding all the buildings seem to be in the north - and there are pockets in other parishes - but the distribution of properties on the island is not fair."

'Massive concern'

She said the local community was not saying not to build but for the States to consider the current residents, conduct an accurate traffic report and reduce the number of houses being built in the area.

She added: "Build but consider how you are building and don't build it all in the north.

"Safety is a massive concern for lots of people."

The States said the work to create new infrastructure in the area would ease pressure on its existing roads and give more people more options to get around.

Claire's son Bertie said: "I don't feel that safe at all and I've nagged my mum to let me walk and cycle to school but I can't because it is way too dangerous."

Her daughter, Grace, thinks the road near their house should be 15mph rather than 25mph. "Sometimes they go at a good speed but most of the time they are just speeding," she said.

"When I'm walking on my own it is a bit scary because I feel like cars are going to hit me."

States Property Unit said the States' desire to deliver critical infrastructure to enable a homes-building programme as soon as possible had led to accelerated consideration of the wider requirements of the area.

It said: "This has ensured a solid foundation for this outline planning application for road infrastructure and also provides the springboard for the next stages, alongside the additional reports and engagement needed for broader planning applications following the completion of the IDP review."