Speed Limits: Revised Policy (P.167/2010) - Second Amendment

STATES OF JERSEY

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SPEED LIMITS: REVISED POLICY (P.167/2010) – SECOND AMENDMENT

Lodged au Greffe on 5th January 2011 by the Connétable of St. Helier

STATES GREFFE

2010   Price code: A  P.167 Amd.(2)

SPEED LIMITS: REVISED POLICY (P.167/2010) – SECOND AMENDMENT

1  PAGE 2, PARAGRAPH (a)(iii) –

In paragraph (1), after the words "distinct residential" insert the words "and tourist".

2  PAGE 2, PARAGRAPH (a)(iii) –

After paragraph (2) insert a new paragraph as follows –

"(3)  on all public roads within the St. Helier Ring Road".

3  PAGE 2, PARAGRAPH (b) –

After  the  words  "Appeals  Panel  should  be  established"  insert  the  words ", whose membership shall include representatives of the Roads Committee of the Parish involved in any particular Appeal,".

4  PAGE 2, PARAGRAPH (c) –

For the word "minor" substitute the word "certain".

CONNÉTABLE OF ST. HELIER

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P.167/2010 Amd.(2)

REPORT

The Parish of St. Helier Roads Committee considered P.167/2010 in open session on 10th November 2010, and resolved to seek a number of amendments to the proposed policy on speed limits.

The Committee wishes to see the 20 mph zone made applicable to the area bounded by the St. Helier Ring Road, given the combination of significant vehicular traffic and high numbers of the most vulnerable categories of road-users in this area at the same time.

Other areas of the urban parishes, including St. Helier , which are distinct residential areas' as described in paragraph (a)(iii)(2) of the proposed policy, such as may be found  at  First  Tower,  Havre  des  Pas,  and  La  Pouquelaye,  for  example,  will presumably be entitled to receive the protection of designation as 20 mph zones; however, concern has been raised in the past that the promenade at Havre des Pas might not fit these criteria. While it is accepted that Havre des Pas has lost most of its major hotels, it is still regarded as one of St. Helier 's key tourist areas, due to the number of guest houses and restaurants, the bathing pool and beach. The purpose of the first amendment is to allow it to benefit from a 20 mph speed limit along the promenade in a similar way as operates in St. Brelade 's Bay. The amendment, if adopted, will confer similar protection to users of other public roads in tourist areas of the Island.

The proposal to set up an Appeals Panel does not specify membership of such a Panel, but it is considered essential that the Roads Committee of the Parish concerned, being the parochial Highway Authority, should be included.

Finally, I have taken the opportunity to replace the word minor' in paragraph (c): while the phrase minor traffic offences' may mean something in policing terms, it is entirely inappropriate that it should be used in a States proposition to describe the offence of speeding.

Financial and manpower implications

The financial implications will depend on the signage used to denote extra 20 mph zones, but this sum will be insignificant when compared with the costs involved in attending a speed-related collision, and the medical costs that may be involved. There are no significant manpower implications for the States' civil service. Past projects funded  by  the  Urban  Renewal  Fund  have  required  a  partnership  approach  from Transport  and  Technical  Services  and  Parish  of   St. Helier  stonemasons  and  road gangs,  and  there  is  no  reason  to  think  this  would  not  apply  for  the  erection  of necessary signage, reducing any impact on States' programmes of work.

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P.167/2010 Amd.(2)