'Progress' Bridge application welcomed by Vale Constables

Leale's Yard proposed vehicle access

Senior Constable John Niles said they had been consulted by States Property Services on the application and welcomed it as a sign that progress was at last being made on redeveloping this important site.

"The scale of the proposed works is undoubtedly large for the Bridge and represents a lot of change for those who live, work and shop there," he said. "However, we felt the expression 'no pain, no gain' probably applies here because without adequate vehicle access, the proposed regeneration cannot go ahead."

He said the constables and douzaine had been pressing for years for investment in the Bridge area and the planning application showed that something was finally happening.

He acknowledged that parishioners and others would have views on the proposals – and the planned relocation of bus stops – but the consultations had tried to establish a balance.

The full application plus more details and plans can be found here or parishioners can inspect the plans at the Constables' Office during opening hours. Anyone who wishes to comment on the application can do so no later than 8 June. The details of how to do so are below.

The application says the proposed vehicle access to Leale’s Yard has been positioned to divert traffic from the more heavily pedestrianised areas of the Bridge and prevents large vehicles having to negotiate the car parking areas and the immediate shop frontages. The traffic bound for Leale’s Yard will be contained to the Inter-Harbour Route.

It adds that the application is to gain planning permission for the proposed entrance to be used during the demolition and further enabling activities within the wider programme of works. Further traffic studies will be undertaken to understand the longer-term traffic control measures if this entrance is to become a permanent feature.

Bus Stop
The bus stop which is located on the current roundabout will have to be relocated to allow for the proposed access to Leale’s Yard. The requested location for the shelter is at the end of New Road as there is an expanse of tarmac which makes the corner and could accommodate a shelter, some additional planting and an on-road bus stop.

An additional stop is proposed on Vale Avenue to the north of the roundabout, opposite Guernsey Electricity car park. The current stop opposite the former Bougourd and Harry will also be retained. The introduction of these two stops should alleviate the impact of the loss of the current stop on the roundabout, it is said.

As part of the works, the zebra crossing at the end of New Road will be upgraded with tactile paving and dropped kerbs etc.

Summary
The proposed additional arm to the mini roundabout represents the least disruptive traffic intervention to facilitate the demolition of the majority of Leale’s Yard. The increase in traffic movements at peak times is 0.02%. Further traffic studies will be required in to make the entrance permanent; this application is for demolition and site preparation works only.

The proposed informal crossing is in alignment with the frequent use in the surrounding area at both Nocq Road and Commercial Road. Alternative bus stop arrangements have been made to mitigate the loss of the existing bus stop. See gallery below for the plans. 

• You can make a comment or objection to a current planning application by posting the comments including the above information to - The Office of the Development and Planning Authority, Planning Service, Sir Charles Frossard House, La Charroterie, St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 1FH - or by emailing [email protected] with the above information and any necessary attachments.