Open-ended road closure needs further explanation says Constable
Sat 24 Jun 2023
The thoroughfare is Rue de l'Epine, Vale. Although a small lane, it is often used by residents and people going to and from Beaucette Marina and restaurant.
Mr Leale said that the douzaine's attention was drawn to the closure after parishioners contacted the office questioning why the road was closed but there was no visible sign of works being carried out.
Officially, Traffic and Highway Services says on its website that the closure is for safety reasons pending structural investigations and that could last until 15 December this year.
After contacting Traffic, the douzaine was told closure was due to rockfall and subsidence in the quarry bordering the road. "There have been initial investigations which have highlighted concerns of possible further landfall which could potentially affect the road surface hence the closure. Further surveys and inspections will be carried out going forward and we will then be in a better position to assess the ongoing closure," said Traffic.
Although closed to traffic, L'Epine (below) is currently open for pedestrians and cyclists.
Issues of interest
Mr Leale thanked Traffic for its update and said he wasn't being critical of any department because the douzaine acknowledged that these things happen. 
"However, there are two issues of interest here. The first is how long a "temporary" closure should be – Hougue Jehannet behind the Power Station has been closed for years without any formal process being followed.
"The second is whose responsibility it is to make the road safe to reopen again. As we understand it, the quarry is owned by Guernsey Water, which has an obligation to ensure it is adequately protected and fenced to ensure it is not a danger to the public.
"That's one of the reasons the parish constables have to inspect quarries annually and report on their condition to the Royal Court."
He hoped that contacting the authorities would establish what the problem was, when remedial works could begin and when the road would reopen.