Move to slow speed limit changes down

Wednesday 13 February 2019

Two deputies want to make sure speed limit reductions set to come in across Guernsey are properly discussed by the States before they are implemented.

Last year, Environment & Infrastructure made it known it would be reducing the speed limit on more than 80 roads to 25mph. Those roads are mainly around community hubs and urban centres.

While the announcement was met with general outrage from the public and there was a large petition protesting against the idea, it is still set to be approved by the States later this month. 

E&I is bringing its plans to the States as an amendment to its 'statutory instruments', rather than as a policy letter, meaning it wouldn't be debated. But the aim of Deputy Carl Meerveld, who has made a proposal to annul the amendments, is to give the idea a chance to be fully debated. 

"Essentially, I am aiming to bring this forward for debate," he said.

"The objectives of Environment & Infrastructure are admirable, to reduce traffic on the island, but I question if this is going to be the way to do it. I don't think we are looking for support though, I am not trying to put across an alternative argument or say it shouldn't be done, but it certainly should be debated."

Deputy Barry Brehaut, President of E&I, has defended the proposals in the past, saying the public who live in the areas that would be affected by the changes were supportive. The committee also says it will increase road safety. 

Deputy Meerveld did also echo previously raised concerns about the changes, that they're a "blanket approach" to speed limits rather than being designed for each specific road. E&I has denied this in the past, but Deputy Meerveld said taking another look more closely at exactly which roads might benefit from the lower limits would be a good idea. 

 In total, E&I is trying to make 10 amendments. This proposal from Deputy Meerveld, seconded by Deputy Jeremy Smithies, looks to annul all 10.

E&I made the decision to drive through their speed limit changes even despite a public consultation that saw 55% of responses object to the idea. It said the move had the safety of the public in mind, and was not "anti car". The committee said after they were implemented, it would start to look at potential reductions on more roads which were highlighted to them during the consultation period.

One of the number of bodies which didn't support the proposals when they were first announced was Home Affairs. It questioned whether Guernsey Police would have enough resources to monitor speeds on another 81 roads across the island. At one point, it looked as though Deputy Mary Lowe, the President of Home, and also a Vale Deputy, was going to move to block the plans, however that never came to light.

Now, Deputy Meerveld has done just that, and while he emphasised that he had a neutral position, with "strong arguments on both sides".

"This should be debated, it shouldn't simply be ushered through. I am disappointed really that E&I brought this forward the way they did, so it wasn't initially going to be discussed in the chamber."

It will debated during the States meeting on the 27 February. 

Pictured top: Deputy Carl Meerveld.