Petit Train reports near misses as roads get busier

Sunday 18 July 2021

The driver of the Petit Train wants to remind people of road safety following a number of near misses, as people attempt to overtake the 60ft-long vehicle.

Andy Furniss has raised concerns about people attempting to pass the Petit Train without fully appreciating how long it is.

“Sometimes people overtake and then, halfway, realise they’re not going to make it, so try and cut back in,” he said.

Mr Furniss even encounters other road users attempting to undertake the train on the left, which can be "incredibly dangerous". The amber flashing LED lights on the train are used as indicators.

The tourist train tours St Peter Port, starting at the Albert Pier every day until the beginning of October. It operates more than 1,000 tours a year, and Mr Furniss said it has been getting busier.

“Traffic in town has been getting a lot busier at the moment, it’s a case of being tolerant of everyone on the roads,” he said.

“More and more people are trying to overtake me; you’re putting the 40 plus passengers on board at risk.”

He said the train is usually only in the way for a short time and just wants to make sure the roads are safe for everyone using them.