Deputy Russell Labey has called on States Members to retain the current temporary driving restrictions in Green Street, which are in place due to long-term maintenance, and make the street permanently one way.
But Ana Atilano, who works at La Collette General Store on Clos des Pas, just off Green Street, said that business had been poor for the shop in the weeks since the restrictions were put in place.
She said: ‘The majority of our customers come from town after a long day at work and pop in here for a bottle of wine, the paper or some bread and milk – things like that. But now that we are losing all of those customers who work in town who are on their way home, it has been terrible for us. What was once our busiest time, which was from 4pm to around 7pm, is now completely dead. It is very worrying for us.’
Green Street is currently one way to northbound traffic travelling from Havre des Pas to the Green Street roundabout. Previously, traffic could also travel along the road southbound towards Havre des Pas.
Eddie Moutray-Read, who runs JFS Sport, a fishing tackle store, said that he, along with the other businesses in the area, received a letter from Deputy Labey offering to have a meeting about their concerns. But Mr Moutray-Read said he was sceptical. He added: ‘It is clear that [Deputy] Russell Labey is in favour of the idea and my fear is that he will come down here and just go away and say, “Yes, I’ve spoken to the businesses down there,” but will not actually convey our views to anyone and just go ahead with the one-way system anyway.
‘I am convinced that he will brush all of our concerns under the carpet. In the letter he claims that everyone in the area is in support of this, except for one person. But I know that all of the businesses here are suffering and are completely against it.’
In the letter, which was dated 12 May and sent to retailers in the area, Deputy Labey explains that the temporary restriction has prompted ‘a wave of pleas from residents to make the arrangement permanent’ and concludes with the Deputy offering to meet anyone who had concerns.
Responding to the retailers, Deputy Labey said that the issues caused by the two-way system in Green Street had been the predominant problem that he had had to deal with since becoming a politician in 2014.
Deputy Labey said: ‘Residents love the idea of the one-way street, as the inadequate pavements and lack of space has led to a dangerous situation where people have to mount the pavements and fight for space with other cars. In saying that, the views of businesses are very important and I want to find ways to mitigate against some of the problems which a one-way system may cause them. It is very important that these things will be taken into account and I plan to meet them next week.’
However, Deputy Labey added that he felt it was ‘amazing’ that the situation in Green Street had been allowed to go on for as long as it had, with so many residents ‘afraid to let their children walk alone on the pavement’.
The proposition to make Green Street one way is due to be debated on 4 June.
