From Blair Hickman, secretary, Jersey Driving Instructors Association.
I REFER to the report in the Saturday edition of the JEP (16 April) regarding driving instructors being refused permission to park in front of the Royal Yacht Hotel.

I should like to point out the double standards being adopted by WEB with regard to this issue. Taxi drivers can enter the area with a client without being stopped by the security guards. They can also enter and wait for a client they are going to collect from a hotel or restaurant. The same applies to a person with a private car. Now, if a driving instructor tries to enter with a learner driver, or collect a learner who is waiting beyond the barrier, he is refused entry. Surely this is a victimisation of driving instructors by WEB.

It was also mentioned in the article that driving instructors could pick up their learners at the top of Pier Road. This is correct. Transport and Technical Services Department did offer the instructors this pick-up point a few years ago, but the instructors refused the offer as it was considered too dangerous to expect young learner drivers to wait on their own in a quiet and lonely area, and in the long winter months in the dark. Driving instructors’ primary concern is the safety of their pupils, and I am sure that most parents would not want their teenagers to be waiting in this area on their own for their instructors to arrive.

The safest place and the best place for the past 50 years has been at the Weighbridge. States Members should cast their minds back to the days when they were learner drivers and I am sure that the vast majority of them started their lessons at the Weighbridge and in the fullness of time, their children have, or are doing the same thing. Now, one of their own creations, namely WEB, is trying to put a stop of this practice.

It is also amazing to think that in these cash strapped times with Jersey trying to balance the books, that one of the States’ very own companies can find spare money to employ two security guards to police this area over such a petty problem.
I hope our States Members will read this letter and try and help the instructors and to realise what is being done to their fellow Islanders by a company that is 100 per cent owned and controlled by them.

WEB refers to the Weighbridge area as a beautiful open space to be enjoyed by everyone. I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder but in my opinion the place is a disaster. The cobble stones are dangerous for ladies to walk on in high heel shoes and children cannot play, once again because of the cobbles. The seats are made of stone with no back rest, which makes sitting uncomfortable, and there is absolutely nothing in the place to catch your eye. Walk 50 yards to Liberation Square, the place is full of tourists and locals enjoying themselves. Is it because Tourism control Liberation Square and not WEB?

Finally, I am surprised that the businesses in the area have allowed WEB to close this road. We have all seen the disaster area at the Waterfront. Let us hope that the Weighbridge does not become Waterfront Mark Two.