Rally row rocks plans

Wednesday 30 November 2022

Residents in at least two parishes have complained about plans for the 2023 Guernsey Rally route to pass their front doors.

One - who spoke to Express anonymously - said they are opposed to all motorsports and they want to stop the rally going ahead for many reasons.

The event is due to be held in February - and organisers say it boosts the visitor economy during the usually quiet month as well as brining other benefits to the island.

Pictured: Drivers from Jersey and the UK visit Guernsey to take part in the rally. 

The first Guernsey Rally was held in 2018 and the organisers appear to work closely with similar groups in Jersey and the UK. Marshalls undergo training and are accredited with road restrictions and first aid support arranged with local authorities.

However, not everyone is supportive. 

In September the Forest Douzaine refused permission for a lane in the parish to be used in the rally. Residents had complained about being disturbed in previous years so permission to use the lane was revoked.

Following that the rally organisers rerouted the course through Castel. When residents of a lane in that parish found out they also complained initially thinking they were too late to stop the event happening.

One resident told Express that she was worried about safety with children and animals living in the road. She said being unable to leave their homes for a few hours at a time would be unfair and they were anxious about the noise too.

Now, the rally organisers have been told that the seven residents opposing the use of their lane as a race stage will continue to appeal any permissions given for the event.

Posting on Facebook, the Directors of the Guernsey Rally said that a recent meeting with the residents and a Parish Constable was "very difficult".

Karl Marshall, Caren Vidamour, and Ian Le Page jointly said that they were subjected to "strong negative opinions on the Guernsey Rally and motorsport generally" and they they're expecting the residents to "pursue an attempt to stop the Rally in Guernsey indefinitely".

The organisers said this is "something which no doubt will seriously affect us, but potentially could also affect other motorsports within the island."

They said they accept that not everyone enjoys motorsports but they asked their "large and loyal group of supporters from our local community, Jersey and UK" to contact parish officials and the island's Traffic and Highways Services team to demonstrate their backing.