21 October 2013
Around 600 drivers are now using the new reversed South Hill route as an alternative to La Route du Fort in the mornings between 7.30am and 9am.
Traffic changes around the Mount Bingham, South Hill and Havre des Pas area were introduced on Tuesday 15 October to help reduce the traffic congestion in the south of town. More motorists are now using this route which is having an impact on traffic.
Unfortunately, on Wednesday 16 October there were extremely long delays caused by bad weather and a number of accidents on the major routes into town and a breakdown in the tunnel.
As more motorists make use of this alternative route, delays on La Route du Fort will reduce which will ease pressure on the roundabout at the east end of the tunnel. This in turn should reduce delays for drivers from the west of the Island along La Route de la Liberation as traffic exiting to the tunnel roundabout experiences fewer delays.
Minister for Transport and Technical Services, Deputy Kevin Lewis said “We are beginning to see the positive impact of the new reversed South Hill traffic arrangements and I would encourage more people to use this alternative route in the mornings.”
Delays should still be expected until Mount Bingham can be partly re-opened. For public safety reasons this will not be possible until the rock stabilisation works have minimised the risk of a rock fall.