Speed cameras could be solution to enforce new limits

Friday 17 August 2018

Revising more island speed limits "may create a public expectation regarding a level of enforcement that is unlikely to be met with finite police resources", Home Affairs have said, but "traffic control technology" could be the solution.

This comes as the committee responsible for policing the island's roads has issued an official list of its views on the matter of bringing the speed limits down on over 80 roads across Guernsey.

Among other things, Home Affairs said, while as a general principal improving road safety and ensuring traffic flow was always welcomed, revising speed limits on so many roads could create an impossible policing situation as resources would be stretched to thin.

As a partial solution, it did however suggest "an investment by [E&I] in traffic control and management technology linked to an automated fixed penalty system", an idea which could see speed cameras installed in Guernsey for the first time.

It also said the blanket approach to reducing so many roads' speed limits "did not appear to be sufficiently evidence based".

While the roads are said to mainly be around community hubs and schools, the proposals from Environment & Infrastructure have been met with some resistance since they have been announced - particularly as the plans will not be debated in the States.

But despite the island-wide consultation on the matter only just closing, it was confirmed earlier the week that E&I have already purchased the poles and signs that would be used to post the new limits. This has led some to question the consultation, but E&I said if it did not go ahead with the proposals, the newly purchased stock would be used to replace existing ones in the future.

I asked E&I last wk, are the poles/signs in stock for 80roads,initially they refused to answer,they’ve now changed their mind.basically yes they are.If E&I decides against some or all of the draft proposals,the current stock will be used to replace existing poles/signs over 4yrs

— Deputy Mary Lowe (@DeputyMaryLowe) 15 August 2018

With the release of the committee's points, Deputy Mary Lowe, President of Home Affairs, said: "It is now for the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure to consider all the feedback received.  I can however confirm that the Committee for Home Affairs has both expressed its political view and also endorsed points which it is aware the police have decided to pass to the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure."

Home Affairs also pointed to the fact that "regardless of the defined speed limit" most drivers "not just in Guernsey" drive at a speed they "consider appropriate for the road in question". As part of this, it highlighted the current police focus on the reckless few drivers who travel at excessive speed and put others in danger: "This is an operational focus which the Committee fully endorses".

Finally, it suggested the potential for lowering speed limits at certain hours of the day around areas such as schools, as is already done in some places.

Certain islanders have been particularly critical of the plans since they were announced. One Vale Douzenier - Vale being a parish which would be heavily affected by the changes - said he did not believe changes would make any difference.

Meanwhile, pedestrian and cycling lobby groups have said the changes would be good for the island and make the roads safer.