Frustration grows over Rouge Bouillon traffic chaos

Frustration is growing among motorists as the wait for Rouge Bouillon to reopen fully continues.

A section of road and footpath has been shut since 1 June.

The temporary traffic lights installed between Drury Lane and Palmyra Road have been creating long delays to traffic, especially during rush hours.

A 'Dangerous Building Notice' was issued because of a small unstable roadside retaining wall on private land, which is deemed at risk of collapsing onto the public footpath and road.

The property owners were given four weeks from that date to carry out the necessary work, which expires on Monday 29 June.

Channel 103 has spoken to motorists caught up in the delays:

"People just can't get anywhere, we're just stuck all the time, especially with the schools around here, absolutely horrendous. It's time something was done about it."

"We live off one of the roads off by Rouge Bouillon, and this is the only way we can get home since the one-way system has been put in, and it's chaos every day, especially around school leaving times."

"It's a joke, and they don't seem to be anything. It doesn't make a lot of sense, does it?"

"It's just extra time to get where you need to go, it adds ten minutes every day."

"I have to come (this way) every morning. It takes one hour to here (from St Clement) and just (waiting) here, maybe 20 minutes sometimes. It's not good because you can't see anyone working (on the wall)."

"Nothing has been done since they put the traffic lights up, and it's a nightmare, especially when the kids are coming out at 3pm."

The Dangerous Building Notice states that if the notice isn't complied with, those it has been served upon may be liable to prosecution.

In a statement, the government's Infrastructure and Environment Department said the road and footpath will reopen in full 'once the structure has been made safe.'

Constable of St Helier, Deputy Inna Gardiner, said:

"Believe me, nobody wants these temporary lights to remain any longer than necessary. I've spoken with the department involved, they also want the road fully open as soon as possible, but it should be safe, because safety is coming first.

"At the moment, I can't give a date (as to when it can reopen) because that depends on the remedial work needed to make the structure safe.

"I don't want to speculate or raise false expectations, my focus will be ensuring the process moves forward as quickly as possible, keeping everyone safe."

Channel 103 has attempted to property owners for comment.

Last year, a nearby part of Rouge Bouillon was shut for six months due to an unrelated structural issue.

Rouge Bouillon to finally reopen