Select a region
The Arcade and High Street in Town will be impacted by roadworks between 8 April and 19 July, a move which has been criticised as it falls directly over the summer season.
Guernsey Electricity will be undertaking essential network improvements and enhancing the electricity infrastructure in the centre of St Peter Port.
The first phase of the works has been launched today [8 April] and the second phase is then due to pick up from the 20 May. In its entirety the work is expected to last until 19 July.
In a statement, Guernsey Electricity said:
“During phase 1 of the works, both the Arcade and the High Street will be affected. Pedestrian access to the Arcade from the High Street end will be maintained by way of temporary walk-ways, barriered off from the works.
“Phase 2 of the works will affect the High Street only, as the Arcade will be reinstated back to normal when phase 1 works are complete. During phase 2, the High Street will remain open, but part of it will be barriered off to create a ‘safe working area’ to undertake the works.
"Deliveries will still be able to be made to all retail premises along the High Street, via both the top and bottom ends, but will have to be walked past the barriered area containing the works as there will be no vehicular access in that particular location during this phase of work.”
The information was shared via the media and an email that was sent out to the community. Some people subsequently took to social media to share their concern with the timing of the works.
“For the few visitors we get now, this will really add to their experience,” said Rod on Facebook.
“Great timing for visitors then,” agreed Megs.
Some said they felt “desperately sorry” for the businesses in Town, while a retailer said he found the announcement “so disappointing”.
However, some did support the work, arguing that the ageing infrastructure needs to be replaced and there’ll never be a ‘good time’.
“If it has to be done at a time when weather is improving, then so be it,” said Chris. “Some things have to be done.”
Guernsey Electricity said it has been liaising with Planning, the Constables of St Peter Port and the Guernsey Retail Group on the project.
“We fully appreciate that this area is utilised by retailers, shoppers and pedestrians and our teams will work hard to minimise any disruption to them whilst we deliver this project,” said Mike Lloyd, Head of Distribution at Guernsey Electricity.
“The project is essential for our energy infrastructure, and is aimed at increasing the network capacity and improving the overall security of the electricity supply in town.
“These works are designed to future proof the area to avoid major works in the future around this location.”
Express has reached out to the Guernsey Retail Group for comment.
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.