Is it time we left the car at home in Guernsey?

A group in Guernsey is calling on the island's government to re-think the ways islanders get about.

The Better Journey Project, a local non-profit organisation encouraging sustainable travel, is asking motorists what it would take for them to ditch their cars and walk, cycle or take buses instead.

Congestion is a growing problem on the island's roads, thought to be down to the weather getting wetter and windier, combined with the number of roadworks taking place at once.

Credit: ITV Channel TV

The Better Journey Project says it is not 'anti-car', but Barrie Duerden from the group says they want to "encourage people to consider taking sustainable travel".

"It's for the good of the island, it's for the good of people's health, it's good for their wallets and it's good for the planet of course as well," he added.

Car-pooling is one sustainable mode of transport the group encourages.

ITV News carried out its own unscientific survey which found that of 176 vehicles passing through St Peter Port during Wednesday rush hour, only 25 had more than one person inside - just 15% of cars.

In order to change people's habits on the island, transport analyst, Swati Matti, says it is important to introduce targeted measures.

These could include charging people for using their cars in certain areas, or else encouraging alternative modes of transport.

One idea in Guernsey would be bringing in paid parking, but this has been considered several times and never come to fruition.

But, according to the President of the island's Environment and Infrastructure Committee, improving transport infrastructure is not just about making the island greener, it is about making life on the island easier.

The President of Guernsey's Environment & Infrastructure Committee, Deputy Lindsay De Sausmarez

Lindsay De Sausmarez told ITV News: "We all know how much we need housing at the moment, how urgently we need to bring that forward as fast and effectively as possible.

"So really transport is an absolutely fundamental part of that and therefore we have to prioritise it along with housing."

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