STRUCTURAL investigations are still taking place on Rouge Bouillon – which remains partially closed after a burst water main caused a sinkhole last month – to determine the full extent of the damage.
On 18 December, a hole appeared by the entrance to College Gardens, with the Jersey Fire and Rescue Service later confirming that it had been caused by a burst water main underneath the road.
In an update issued yesterday, the Infrastructure Department described the situation as “highly complex”, with several adjacent walls and buildings “unsafe and severely cracked”.
Rouge Bouillon remains closed between Clarendon Road and Palmyra Road as structural investigations continue.
The department said the issue was being “closely monitored” to ensure public safety and that “further investigatory work is required to assess the full extent of the damage and determine how long the closure will remain in place”.
It explained that various options to manage the traffic around the closure had been considered, but that the decision to retain the current traffic arrangement had been made based on several factors.
This included concerns that reversing Clarendon Road would pose “additional safety risks for residents and pedestrians”, while allowing right-turn access onto Clarendon Road from Val Plaisant could cause “severe traffic congestion”.
“Reversing Midvale Road, while potentially useful, would necessitate signal junction changes, creating confusion, complications and further safety concerns,” the statement continued.
“We advise the travelling public to continue to avoid the area and use alternative routes to access town where possible.”
It added that regular meetings were being held involving “all relevant stakeholders”, including property owners impacted by the issue.
“The safety of Islanders remains the top priority, and the closure will stay in effect until it is deemed safe to reopen,” the statement concluded.
A further update is expected next week.
