Yasmin McQuarrie lives at Le Jardin de Fleurie – on the former La Motte Garages site – off Rue à Don.
She walks to Grouville School with her older brother, Darren, and frequently crosses the road to buy sweets at the petrol station, usually taking younger children with her.She fears that unless something is done to slow traffic in the accident black spot, the children on the estate risk being knocked over.Last week she wrote to the parish, without any prompting from her parents, Keeley and Paul.Yasmin said: ‘I wrote the letter because I wanted to take my brother, Sam, to the shop, but I’m not allowed because he’s too young and my mother says the cars go too fast.
When cars come along I go faster as I get scared that I may get hit as quite a lot drive too fast.
I’d like the speed limit to be reduced so more people can go to the shop.’Yasmin’s letter struck a cord with Grouville Chef de Police Charles Dix, who, along with Deputy Carolyn Labey, has been working to reduce speed limits in the area.
He and Deputy Labey have visited Yasmin’s parents to commend her initiative.Deputy Labey said they had intended to hold a parish assembly next month to discuss speeds but the election for a new Constable had delayed it.Mr Dix said the stretch of road from Café Poste to Links Estate had become an accident black spot, with excessive speeds and dangerous overtaking manoeuvres causing the parish great concern.’Only a few weeks ago a motorcyclist suffered severe leg injuries in an accident involving speed on this stretch of road.
Thankfully we did not have to deal with a fatality on that occasion,’ he said.In January this year the honorary police formed a working party to study the area and they consulted Public Services.A request to reduce the limit from 40 mph to 30 mph was deferred by the department pending the outcome of an Islandwide study on speed limits.
This document is currently subject to public consultation.Mr Dix is still waiting to hear if a request, following the motorcycle accident, to outlaw overtaking in the area would be implemented.’I eagerly await the reply.
I’m optimistic that this proposed safety measure will be met with swift agreement and implementation by Public Services,’ he said.Deputy Labey said they hoped the speed limit on the coast road from Gorey to Town could be made a 30 mph zone and she was discussing the matter with the Constable of St Clement, Derek Gray.A previous attempt to make Grande Route des Sablons 30 mph was rejected two years ago by a parish assembly.
However, St Clement recently voted for speed reductions, but like Grouville has to wait for the outcome of the Islandwide speed limit study.Deputy Labey hopes a second attempt will succeed as excessive speeds was the second highest issue raised by the public during her election campaign last year.
