Sustainable Transport Policy (P.104/2010): second amendment (P.104/2010 Amd.(2)) – amendment.

STATES OF JERSEY

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SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT POLICY (P.104/2010): SECOND AMENDMENT (P.104/2010 Amd.(2)) – AMENDMENT

Lodged au Greffe on 9th November 2010

by the Minister for Transport and Technical Services

STATES GREFFE

2010   Price code: B  P.104 Amd.(2)Amd.

SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT POLICY (P.104/2010): SECOND AMENDMENT (P.104/2010 Amd.(2)) – AMENDMENT

1  PAGE 3, PART 2, PARAGRAPH (d) –

After the words "by the end of 2012" insert the words "subject to appropriate consultation".

2  PAGE 3, PART 2, PARAGRAPH (e) –

After the words "create a" insert the word "trial" and after the words "by the end of 2011" insert the words "subject to appropriate consultation".

3  PAGE 3, PART 2, PARAGRAPH (f) –

For the date "2011" substitute the date "2012".

4  PAGE 3, PART 2, PARAGRAPH (g) –

For paragraph (g) substitute the following paragraph –

"(g)  to carry out a review of the proposal for increased shopper car

parking at Snow Hill in conjunction with Jersey Property Holdings, subject  to  availability  of  funding  for  feasibility  studies,  and  to bring recommendations to the States by the end of 2012".

5  PAGE 3, PART 2, PARAGRAPH (h) –

For the words "at least 25%" substitute the words "a proportion".

6  PAGE 3, PART 2, PARAGRAPH (i) –

For the words "the revenue" substitute the words "any additional revenue".

MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES

REPORT

The proposals in the Connétable 's amendment are generally in accord with proposals within the proposed Sustainable Transport Policy (STP) and I am therefore minded to support  them  subject  to  the  above  changes  and  as  discussed  in  my  submitted comments.

The Connétable may have overestimated TTS resources to develop the considerable number of initiatives which will require attention should the STP be approved, and I have therefore proposed an additional year to develop certain schemes.

Part 2(d)

The obvious means of improving the safety of pedestrians on Midvale Road would be to make the road one-way. A scheme has been developed by TTS in conjunction with the Parish of St. Helier . This would be consistent with the principles of the STP; and analysis  of  the  traffic-flows  suggested  that  the  increase  in  traffic  delay  on  the surrounding road network would be modest. It should be noted, however, that a proper consultation with the public and the emergency services has not been carried out and would need to be done before plans were finalised.

Part 2(e)

The STP contains a proposal to develop a pedestrianisation scheme in Halkett Place south of Waterloo Street "subject to adequate arrangements for servicing deliveries and shoppers' parking for the markets and north town centre as well as progress towards the traffic reduction targets within this policy". Whilst consistent with the aims of the STP, removal of through-traffic will cause a deterioration of conditions on the surrounding road network and the proposal is known to be unwelcome by a number of town retailers, particularly within the Central Market. Much work needs to be done to develop a scheme which enables the town centre to function successfully and for adequate access to be maintained, in particular to the Central Market. Given the clear opposition of a number of businesses, a trial scheme is considered to be the best way forward.

Part 2(f)

Whilst the   Connétable 's  amendment  addresses  a level  of  detail  which  would  not normally be appropriate in a States debate on transport policy, TTS will develop pedestrian improvements at these and other locations in accordance with the principles of the STP. Mindful of the significant resource implications of the many issues to pursue  following  adoption  of  the  STP,  a  deadline  of  2012  rather  than  2011  is proposed.

Part 2(g)

There  are  many  significant issues to  consider  with  regard  to  the  possibility  of a shopper's  car  park  at  Snow  Hill  which  will  principally  involve  Jersey  Property Holdings, the Planning Department, TTS and Education, Sport and Culture. Various schemes involving parking, housing and new access have been mooted, but detailed feasibility  work  and  its  associated  funding  would be  required to  bring  a  scheme forward. Subject to funding, a deadline of 2012 rather than 2011 is proposed.

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P.104/2010 Amd.(2)Amd.

Part 2(h)

TTS does not lease out private parking spaces. Conversion of a proportion of States- owned privately-leased parking spaces to shopper or motorcycle parking would be broadly consistent with the STP, but no evidence is offered as to whether 25% is an appropriate figure, the effect this would have on States budgets, or whether demand for shopper or motorcycle parking at a particular location would justify the proposal. I therefore recommend that the value of 25% is changed to "a proportion".

Part 2(i)

Our research identified that the decrease in vehicles parked in public car parks as the 15% reduction in peak-hour traffic is achieved will more than negate the potential increased income from increased parking charges. However, should our predictions be wrong, then any income beyond the reasonable requirements of the car park trading fund would be most appropriate for STP funding. Changes to the States of Jersey Code of Directions would be required to facilitate this. I have proposed an amendment to clarify that only additional revenue beyond the normal income including inflation increases would be eligible.

Part 3

Part 3  requests  that  the  Chief  Minister  makes  provision  in  future  Draft  Annual Business Plans for at least £1,000,000 to be made available to fund the STP. The Connétable of St. Helier mentions in his report that this would be half of the predicted income from vehicle emissions duty (VED). The STP has been developed under the understanding that, although £1,000,000 from VED would be made available to TTS for  environmental  initiatives,  this  would  need  to  also  cover  recycling  costs,  and therefore  only  £500,000  per  annum  would  be  available  for  the  STP.  The  STP identifies that significant benefits will arise from a more sustainable approach to travel in Jersey, considerably in excess of £500,000. I believe that an argument can be made for increased funding, but it must not be at the cost of the recycling budget.

Financial and manpower implications

The proposals within the Connétable of St. Helier 's amendment are dependent on an additional £500,000 funding from the Annual Business Plan. My amendment will extend the timescale for a number of the Connétable of St. Helier 's proposals and therefore improve the proportion of design and implementation work which can be provided  "in  house"  by  TTS  officers,  and  spread  the  cost  of  the  proposals  over 2 years,  rather  than  one  year's  budget. The transfer  of  privately-leased  spaces  to shopper  car  parking  or  motorbike  parking  is  likely  to  impact  on  other  States Department's budgets, particularly Harbours, and my amendment's proposed change to "a proportion" rather than "at least 25%" will enable a more balanced approach to be taken to ensure that alterations are reasonable.