In 2023, the States of Guernsey continued to make improvements to road infrastructure and safety for all road users.
In line with the States-approved Integrated Transport Strategy, improvements focussed on:
- improving road safety for all road users, particularly those that are more vulnerable
- creating vibrant, connected and accessible centres where people want to live, work and spend time
- providing for the efficient, reliable, safe and accessible movement of people and goods
- providing safe, healthy and efficient travel options
- facilitating a move to lower carbon travel and encouraging a reduction in emissions from motor vehicles to enhance our health and the environment
- ensuring that our domestic and international obligations are met (to ensure the island can continue to trade and so that islanders can continue to drive abroad)
To achieve these objectives, as well as managing the 260 miles of roads and resurfacing 30 roads (totalling 13,000m in length) in 2023 the States’ Traffic and Highway Services team:
- supported 343 children through Level 2 Bikeability training, equipping young people to safely travel by bicycle
- rolled out new travel plans for five schools, a community centre and a GP’s surgery, as well as updating six existing plans
- supported 16,826 journeys through the newly-launched Guernsey Taxi App
- supported a 12.79% increase in bus passenger levels compared with 2022 and facilitated more than 60,000 free bus journeys during the Island Games
- continued to work with contractors to permit those who are cycling to pass through works wherever possible
- launched the trial of St Martin’s ‘School Street’ and provided funding for cycle infrastructure for schools
- installed infrastructure to assist bus users and pedestrians, to improve the attraction of these types of travel.
These improvements were delivered in a year when there was a significant increase in the demand for road work and traffic management coordination, largely due to major infrastructure projects being carried out by utilities and service providers.
Looking ahead, the work to improve Guernsey’s physical infrastructure continues throughout 2024 and already this year, accessibility upgrades have been installed as part of road resurfacing at Ruettes Brayes, Longstore and St Georges Esplanade with further improvements to the walking and cycling infrastructure due to be installed in main and local centres this year.
In addition, the team at Traffic and Highway Services also planned and provided traffic management for 197 special events such as Seafront Sunday closures including 18 associated with the Island Games.
They also provided traffic and junction geometry expertise in relation to major development sites for housing and other provisions, an important part of the planning process. Later this year, the Better Transport Plan for the north of Guernsey will be published to provide islanders with more choice in how they travel around that part of the island. This will make it easier and safer to walk, cycle, catch the bus or use shared transport such as through the introduction of car clubs, whilst also enabling much-needed housing development to come forward by supporting the associated vehicle movement.
Deputy Adrian Gabriel, Vice-President of the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure, said: “Particularly in times of economic restraint, it is really important that the community knows how public money is being spent. Highlighting these objectives and the achievements during 2023 helps people understand the goals that the States is working towards when it comes to our on-island travel and highlights a number of improvements that might otherwise be taken for granted.
“When most people think of Traffic and Highway Services they probably think of maintaining and managing our roads, but that only accounts for one part of what they do. The bigger picture on top of that is about supporting the delivery of new homes and working towards a joined-up plan for ensuring safe, convenient, accessible and affordable travel options for all the community.
“By publishing these objectives we want to help people understand that we are working towards prioritised, coordinated and carefully resourced outcomes that benefit all islanders.”
