Latest news with #MarkLabey
BBC News
15 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Parish votes to take over Grouville children's playground.
The parish of Grouville has agreed to take over running a seafront play park despite some objections from lease on Sandy Park in Grouville, which had been held by the Infrastructure Department, was due to expire on 24 Mark Labey led a bid for the parish to take over the management and maintenance in order to save the move was agreed at a meeting of the village assembly on Thursday where residents attended to give their views on the plans. Some neighbours have expressed concern about noise from the park, while other islanders argued it was essential children had somewhere to Kate de la Mare was one of those who attended the said: "It was so good to see so many people of all ages that turned out and I really feel it's so important for them to know that we do have a voice, and we do have a vote, and I think it's great for the community." She said she believed it was important those against the plans were also able to voice their opinions."I think that there are other ways around those problems other than the park being closed." 'Wall of sound' Mary Young, a resident living near the park, opposed the plans due to noise concerns. She said: "I just cannot enjoy my home anymore, it's like a wall of sound coming up."It's something to do with the configuration of the building, but I can't even hear my TV, my radio, I can't hear people on the phone." Constable Mark Labey said the decision to take on the lease was good for the parish and the wider community in the said the parish would be able to monitor and maintain the park better and look at measure to mitigate the noise levels.
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Uncertain future for Jersey's Grouville playground
People living in Grouville are being encouraged to support a campaign to save a popular play area next to Long Beach car Mark Labey said he wanted the parish to take over its management and maintenance as the States' Infrastructure Department is not renewing its lease when it expires on 24 residents living next to the park want it moved elsewhere, saying they had noise and costs resident Kat de La Mare said parents came from around Jersey to visit the park because of a lack of facilities in the east. She also said she wanted ratepayers to back plans for a takeover at a public meeting on Thursday. 'Noise funnels up' Mary Young has been living by the play area since 2009. She said there were no problems before the Covid-19 pandemic but, since then, more people have been enjoying said "the noise has just become horrendous" and the building of two apartment blocks either side of her had not helped. She said: "The noise funnels up. It acts a bit like St Paul's Cathedral".She said residents enjoyed the toddlers playing there during the day, but it got noisier after school, when older children came to the area and teenagers sometimes gathered there in the evening until 22: also said it cost a lot of money to maintain and ratepayers would probably have to pay for the parish did take over the park's lease, Ms Young said she will probably take a case to environmental health leaders if the play area did not move because of the noise pollution. One of the parents who uses the park, Charlotte Catallo, said she was really upset at the thought of it closing. Sher said: "We use this park all the time. I particularly love it in the winter. "It really gives a lift to my soul and I'm sat here with the kids looking out to the sea and the castle. I feel so grateful to live on Jersey".Another resident would love the play area to stay where it is. Peter Laffoley said his grandchildren play there and "it's essential it's maintained; whether it's by the parish or the states is irrelevant".Kat De La Mare started a Facebook group alerting supporters of the park to the upcoming said: "Its the most beautiful park on the island... I get really emotional about this park. "I've been bringing my children since they were babies and, whenever I'm here, I just take a moment of gratitude for such a beautiful space." In a blog post on the Grouville parish website earlier this month, Labey said all politicians in the local area had agreed that the parish should look to take over the running of the wrote: "We have gathered all the cost implications together and will make those public soon"."Other pin Jersey maintain the play areas within their borders, especially Elephant Park in St Brelade, so we feel that this is the way forward".Thursday's meeting takes place at Grouville Parish Hall at 19:00 BST.
BBC News
03-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Red stripe on rural lane sparks social media storm
Residents in Grouville have complained a new red stripe painted on a country lane is an "eyesore" and completely out of place, sparking a wave of angry comments on social stripe, is part of a road safety initiative to separate pedestrians from vehicles on two roads - La Croix and La Rue de la Haye des Puits near Grouville School - but many locals have said it clashes with the area's natural beauty."It's a monstrosity," said Gerald Fletcher, one of several local residents who have written to the parish constable to complain."This is a beautiful lane used by walkers and dog walkers. Why spoil it with such a harsh, urban-looking stripe?" Social media posts reflect similar sentiments, with hundreds of comments lamenting the visual impact of the paint job. Critics said the stripe detracts from the rural charm of the area and sets a precedent for urban-style changes in the Constable of Grouville Mark Labey defended the decision, citing safety as the top priority."We had a choice between a sandy yellow and a bright red," he explained. "We went with the red because it's a warning colour—and that's exactly what we need."But Mr Fletcher and some other residents have questioned this, claiming there is no evidence of any accidents in the area that has been painted. The move comes after a 2022 government report recommended painted pavement demarcations on roads near schools to protect pedestrians, particularly children. Some parents from nearby Grouville School have praised the new stripe for its clarity and visibility."It's a strong colour, and it's important," said one parent. "The road's pretty narrow, so it helps clearly define where people should be walking. I think it's great. It does what it needs to do."Another supporter added: "It makes people realise there's a path. It separates the road from the pedestrian area - it's simple and effective." Despite the divide in opinion, the aim remains to make the roads safer for everyone. In a written letter to the Constable, residents have said they "totally agree with him that safety is paramount but we would ask him to reconsider the colour".They said they are awaiting a response.
BBC News
02-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Red walking paths painted near Grouville school in Jersey
A brightly coloured path designed to keep pedestrians safe has been painted along a country lane near a school in walkways have been painted along two roads La Croix and La Rue de la Haye des Puits near Grouville School.A report published by the Government of Jersey in 2022 stated that traffic measures needed to be made which included painted pavements in the two minor lanes to the south of the Mark Labey acknowledged that the decision could be "controversial" but said but he stands by his decision to "get it done and for it to paint it red". The roads were painted over the weekend during the half term school break. Mr Labey said the road committee discussed a variety of colours but chose red as it symbolises the "colour for danger."He said one of the roads has a dangerous blind bend and added that both can get "very busy at pick up and drop off time". "There have been three road deaths in the parish of Grouville since I became constable and all included pedestrians, which is something I'm not going to ignore that." The constable said he would have preferred to have painted it "slightly less bold", but said it "had to be bold" so people can see it. He added that the brightness will "dull down over time" and that he was "very confident it will work." "If it saves one child, parent or guardian from getting injured it's money well spent". He added that he has received "positive feedback" from the school.
