17/07/2014 BBC Channel Islands News

The trial of a lorry driver accused of causing

the death of a cyclist in Gternsey has begun at the Royal Court.

59`year`old David Allison w`s killed when he was run over by a truck

Mr Simon faces charges of ddath by dangerous driving and drhving

Today, one of Guernsey's busiest roads came under the scrutiny

The unusual sight of Jurats at the scene of the incident.

It was here during rush hour just over a year ago that Mr Allhson was

killed when there was a collision between his bicxcle

Mr Simon, who was driving in the same direction

as the cyclist, crossed the cycle path to access Salerie Corndr car

The court heard how Mr Allison then slammed on his brakes,

skidded and fell off his bike, lying in the path of the trtck.

He was run over by the heavx goods vehicle and died at the scene.

In court, the prosecution said that Mr Simon

was "driving in a manner th`t was so deficient that it created a brief

but obvious hazard to vulnerable pedestrians and cyclists."

Police said Mr Simon was visibly distressed at the scene.

Today, in a white shirt and tie he pleaded not guilty to the charges.

There is a plan for some protected land in the countryside to be

protected. The land minister wanted to find space for 3,700 new

affordable homes. The former glass house sites will be

developed, as well as some state's owned sites in St Helier. Ddspite

some rural sites being turndd down for developments, the pa generate of

plans went through. In my hdart of hearts, I wouldn't be selling any

land, whether it be brown or green field sites. The essence of the

policies that I'm putting forward is to build affordable units and more

creatively on our own state's land. 863 people on the list now that need

housing today and so we must have appropriate sites. The planning

minister went out and brought back the sites. People say yes wd should

develop St Helier. I've got no problem with that. But it's St

Helier that's not yet ready for affordable development.

All cyclists under 14 will have to wear cycle helmets in Jersey

The state?s approved the new law today after rejdcting

34 members voted for the law, four against.

It's hoped it'll protect chhldren from head injuries in acciddnts

Meanwhile, members also approved a revised island plan

Introducing a Goods and Services Tax in Guernsey would pose

a major risk to the island's future prosperity ` that's the verdict

Economist Dominic Swords was commissioned by local busindss

groups to look at the likelx impact if the States did bring it hn GST,

Virtually everything that you will buy would end up being levidd with

that additional charge. For those on low incomes, those perhaps on the

threshold, it would have a laterial impact perhaps on their buyhng

habits. As is the experiencd in Jersey, the retail sector h`s

suffered immensely. There is the added cost particularly for small

businesses. They'll be less able to absorb the costs of collecthng the

GST. They'll also have to ptt up their prices to try to recover that

overhead. When they put thehr prices up, they'll possibly lose ctstom.

Brings us to the potential hmpact on tourism and retail. Tourism is a

relatively small part of our economy, but if you look recently at

how Jersey are growing their tourist sector and how the world is growing

their tourist sectors, that is something we need to align ourselves

to. It's not a positive message to say come here but we'll tax you

more. The state say it's just one idea

with no decision yet. But the warning today from businessds is to

consider it carefully beford they make one.

One of the ships that brings cargo and passengers to the

Channel Islands will be out of action for another ten d`ys.

The Commodore Clipper scrapdd the sea bed near Guernsey on Monday

Inspections at a dry dock in Falmouth revealed that damage to her

Passengers are being rebookdd on other vessels and non urgent

A new skateboard park has opened at the Millennium Town Park in

After consultation with park users, the authorities agreed to ptt

in ramps instead of goalposts in the ball court area.

It means the area will be for skaters throughout

the summer holiday, in a three month trial period.

Floral Guernsey's named St Peter's as the overall parish winner

A variety of awards were prdsented at the annual award ceremonx

Hardacre. Jones`Bishop. Ker. Jones`Bishop. Hardaker.

Now the weather. Thunder and lightning should move

away swiftly tonight and wh`t is left behind is a fair amount of low

cloud and mist. For tomorrow, we have a misty start and then some

warm sunshine, the next lind of thunder storms will again bd

probably an overnight feature into the small hours of Saturday morning.

This's the lump of cloud th`t's produced some of the outbre`ks of

heavy rain that we have seen just to the west of us today. It's loving

away northwards now and that process will continue overnight tonhght We

are between weather systems so hopefully some dry weather `round.

Most of the really angry looking showers will move away fairly

swiftly. The winds dropping, becoming south`westerly, turning

misty with overnight temper`tures no lower than 17. Tomorrow is not a bad

day. After the mist has lifted, we should get some sunshine. It will

remain dry into the day unthl more storms come up from the south.

The outlook is for thundery showers possible at any point during the day

on Saturday. A little brighter on Sunday and cooler as we head through

the weekend. In a second, the UK forecast and here is the sulmary.

interludes and Sunday quieter weather coming our way. But active

weather heading for the UK. It was a warm one today. We have a

few thunder storms across the UK tonight. Tomorrow we do it all again

but both the heat and the storms will have more intensity. Tomorrow

we break through 30 Celsius. Today we got to 29 Celsius in the London

area. The hottest day of the year. We got to the mid-30s in western

Franced the heat has sparked this area of cloud. Providing a bit of a

show across south-west England. Strong and Gothsy winds. Lots of

lightening flashes. The Wales and the Midlands could see intense rain.

You may be woken by a thunder storm but you may not be able to sleep

because of the heat and the humidity. A warm night and a misty

start tomorrow. The possibility of one or two showers in the south east

o England and the East Midlands One or two in North Wales and the

north-west of England. Perhaps it could affect the