Toucan crossing could be installed on Bulwer Avenue

Thursday 23 August 2018

Plans for a toucan crossing - with traffic lights operated by pedestrians - have been submitted by Traffic & Highway Services, to be installed on the junction between Bulwer Avenue and Grandes Maisons Road.

The States service said the installation would improve "existing difficulties experienced by people who walk and cycle along the shared path" when they attempt to cross the road.

Currently, there is a small island in place to help with crossing, but pedestrians and cyclists have to look for gaps in the traffic to cross, as the junction is located at the end of the cycle path. 

But a toucan crossing would have lights operated by pedestrians and cyclists that would allow them to cross, similarl to the facility at Admiral Park, where Elizabeth Avenue and Les Banques coincide. 

By submitting plans to install a crossing and to make alterations to the central reservations, cycle path and footway in the vicinity of Richmond Corner, Traffic and Highway Services is looking to provide greater clarity for all road users, including motorists, for this particular stretch of road.

Deputy Barry Brehaut, President of Environment & Infrastructure, said: "Les Bas Courtils Road and Bulwer Avenue form part of the Inter Harbour route, which is the most heavily trafficked route as outlined in Guernsey’s Road Hierarchy and is extensively used by heavy goods vehicles.

“People who walk or cycle currently have to navigate their way through high volumes of traffic in order to cross the road in this area, which many find intimidating, so this initiative will provide a much safer and more regulated means of crossing this road. However, traffic will continue to flow normally unless the signals have been activated.”

Deputy Brehaut added that dropped kerbs were also included in the plans, along with listed paving to assist people. Alterations would also be made to the existing railings.

Sam Field, Chairman of The Guernsey Bicycle Group, said they were pleased to see improvements being planned for the seafront cycle path. "The current layout is poorly defined in terms of where best to transition from the pathway to the main road, or vice versa," he said.

"The proposed plans will bring consistency and certainty on where to transition between the pathway and the road to all users of the junction, not just pedestrians and cyclists, but also to vehicle drivers.

“Making riding and walking a safer, easier and more convenient way to travel is key to encouraging more active travel and these plans will help bring about that feeling of safety and ease at a busy area on our roads.”

Tom Le Pelley, Chairman of Living Streets Guernsey, said: “Living Streets Guernsey welcomes a controlled crossing at this junction.”