The traffic jams all led to temporary traffic lights which had appeared over night along St George’s Esplanade, between La Piette Hotel and St George’s Hall.
Guernsey Electricity said it was due to a low voltage cable fault along St George’s Esplanade. The lights were in place by 06:00 today and the utility firm apologised in advance for any delays caused.
We regret to inform you that due to a low voltage cable fault along St Georges Esplanade, there will be temporary traffic lights in place between St Georges hall and La Piette Hotel.
We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.— Guernsey Electricity (@gsyelectricity) October 10, 2018
However, Guernsey Electricity may not have expected the jams that did ensue after the lights were switched on.
By 08:00 there was traffic backed up from St George’s Esplanade to the Crossways Junction and along Bulwer Avenue, with those two jams meeting in a bottle neck at the Halfway filter.
With La Vrangue closed as well, other routes into town saw tail backs too.
The usual busy spots, including through the Bailiff’s Cross from St Andrew’s towards St Peter Port led into further traffic jams which also saw queues forming all the way up the Grange and onto the Rohais, up La Charotterie as far as the Ville au Roi roundabout, and up the Val De Terres.
Smaller one way roads in the centre of St Peter Port, including Candie Road, Vauvert, Valnord and Mount Durand were also gridlocked.
Motorists were venting on social media once they finally made it to their destination, with Lisa asking Guernsey Electricity, “could you not have waited until after the rush hour traffic which held up half the island today?”
Lee-Ann described the traffic this morning as “complete bedlam.”
Victoria thanked Guernsey Electricity for the “heads up” in advance of leaving for work this morning.
Pictured: One of the many traffic jams on Guernsey’s roads this morning.