Anger over plan to cover stream on walking route

Education, Sport & Culture is considering the idea of grates over the stream

An idea to cover part of a stream on a pedestrian route to allow cycle access in Guernsey should be abandoned, say objectors.

Education, Sport & Culture (ESC) is considering the idea of metal grates over the stream on the Water Lanes as part of a planning application to improve accessibility to the Les Ozouets education campus.

About 300 people have signed a petition objecting to covering the stream where children like to play, according to objector Darren Davison.

A spokesperson for ESC said the scheme improved pedestrian and cyclist access to the campus via the Water Lanes and avoided a nearby road.

Mr Davison, landlord of La Couture Inn, said: "I was quite shocked, I thought it was an April Fool's joke to cover over the Water Lanes which is at the heart of the community.

"I understand why they want cyclists to avoid Collings Road but people using it regularly will be uncomfortable with cyclists using it all the time."

A spokesperson for ESC said in 2022, a planning condition required it to improve pedestrian and cyclist access between La Couture and Les Ozouets via the Water Lanes.

The alternative, Collings Road, was narrow and unsafe, they said.