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STATES OF JERSEY
GROUVILLE SCHOOL: PARKING FACILITIES
Lodged au Greffe on 4th March 2014 by the Connétable of Grouville
STATES GREFFE
2014 Price code: B P.24
PROPOSITION
THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion
to request the Ministers for Education, Sport and Culture, Transport and Technical Services, Planning and Environment and Treasury and Resources to take the necessary steps together -
- to provide drop-off' and pick-up' facilities at Grouville School and to provide parking for at least 60 cars for parents and guardians of children who attend the School, in addition to any parking provision that currently exists; and
- to make every effort to complete this work within 9 months from the date this proposition is adopted.
CONNÉTABLE OF GROUVILLE
REPORT
It is not the intention of this proposition to reduce the area of playing field available to the children who attend Grouville School. Indeed, with the acquisition of Field 263A and an imaginative scheme for parking and drop-off and pick-up areas, the amount of space available as playground and amenity areas will be increased.
Grouville School, before any new development, has some of the best facilities in the Island. It has a full-size junior football pitch, a large grassed area below it and a large- sized garden area where pupils can learn about plants and how they grow. They also have a large tarmacked playground at the rear of the building, and another playground in front of the School that was formerly used for parking. They also have a small fenced-off playground for the nursery class. On top of those facilities, the School enjoys the use of a water-meadow that is kindly let to them rent-free by a generous Parishioner. This, with the help of sponsors and the Parish, has been managed as an environmental area. I would imagine that the facilities at Grouville School would be the envy of most schools in the Island.
At the time of writing, there is a planning application to build a house on Field 263A, and the owner will cede approximately half of this field to the School. This will increase the total area that the school has by 1,400 m2. The intention is to build a netball pitch and have an all-weather area to the south of it.
It was in fact the original intention when the School acquired the present playing-field to also acquire Field 263A, and plans were drawn up that included proper parking facilities for both staff and parents. Unfortunately at that time, this was not progressed.
As can be seen by the extracts of the Grouville Roads Committee meetings (attached to this report), it is the Parish that has been the driving force behind the acquisition of Field 263A. It is also evident from the minutes that the driver for the Parish doing so was to provide a solution to the parking problems. I am delighted that as a consequence, more play area will be available, but disappointed that Education, Sport and Culture are reluctant to replace areas needed for the solution to the drop-off and pick-up situation by some of the new area gained.
The School itself is a two-class intake school (with a one-class nursery intake). Its catchment area is broadly the Parish of Grouville , including parts of Gorey Village that are in St. Martin . It is currently full, with most classes at or above the recommended ideal of 26 pupils. There is significant development in the catchment area, with the Jersey Potteries site in Gorey under construction and the De La Mare site likely to be developed, so the School will remain full for the foreseeable future.
There is parking for 25 cars parked end-to-end on the school track that runs alongside the playing-field: this is currently used by teaching staff. There is parking on the road in front of the school for a further 10 cars, thought to be used predominantly by teachers.
There is no parking for parents and no drop-off and pick-up facilities, and this is the crux of the problem.
At pick-up time, some 120 cars park haphazardly on all the roads both around the school and further afield. These roads include La Grande Route des Sablons from the Pembroke pub to the Café Poste, around the Cenotaph, on La Rue a Don alongside the
New Cemetery, and on La Rue des Fonds. Cars also park in the Pembroke car park, on Rue Vardon that leads to the Golf Club, and the car park near the Café Poste. Many of the cars are parked illegally and dangerously on corners, but parents and guardians have no option. Children and parents then find themselves crossing a busy main road, which is dangerous.
Transport and Technical Services have plans to widen the School track by a small amount, allowing cars to be parked side-by-side, which will provide an extra 23 spaces. This requires moving the high playing-field fence. The track is in serious need of repair. This provides nowhere near enough extra spaces to make any real difference.
The Parish are keen to solve the pick-up time parking problem. The present situation is not fair on parents, children, teachers or residents in the area. It is a dangerous situation and makes the School a bad neighbour.
There is more than one option that could be implemented to achieve the goal of providing at least 60 additional parking places. One is to do as Transport and Technical Services suggest, but to move the fence further so that the track can take 2 rows of cars side-by-side at 40 degrees (which is the best use of space), with a track down the middle; and to accept and develop the rest of Field 263A as sports facilities. Any area lost to the playing-field will be more than made up for by the new land acquisition. With imagination, some of the new parking area could be fenced off in such a way that it could be used from just after drop-off time until just before pick-up time. A solution such as this would actually increase the area available for playground to more than it is now, even if the field was not acquired.
Transport and Technical Services claim that the situation at present is a positive thing, as if it is difficult to bring children to school by car, parents and guardians will be encouraged to walk, cycle or use the bus. This clearly is not working and is nonsense. Many parents will be going on to work by car anyway, and it is simply not practical to use other means of transport. It is also true in adverse weather that a car is a much better way of travelling. The catchment area is also quite widespread, unlike many town schools.
It is claimed that Grouville School's problem is not unique and that other schools have similar problems. I agree that that is the case, and sympathise with other schools, but surely that is no reason to oppose a cost-effective and simple solution at Grouville School.
The cost of widening the track as Transport and Technical Services suggest is circa £100,000. The cost implications for an increased widening of the track will not be significantly above this, as much of the cost will be in the moving of the fence.
The Parish continually get complaints about the chaos caused by the school parking issue. Whilst canvassing in the area, it was the dominant cause of concern to residents. Deputy C.F. Labey of Grouville was instrumental in the move to acquire Field 263, the whole of which was then turned over by Education, Sport and Culture to a football pitch; but she is also often challenged as to why nothing has been done to alleviate the traffic problems, and I am grateful to her for her support and input into bringing this proposition to the States.
Financial and manpower implications
Transport and Technical Services already have plans and funds to widen the track, so there are no manpower implications. An estimated cost of between £80,000 and £100,000 is set aside for this project. Much of the total cost will go towards planning, and the considerable cost of moving the high security fence. If the track is widened a small amount more, the extra cost will not be significant.
APPENDIX
EXTRACTS FROM NUMEROUS ROADS COMMITTEE MINUTES Notes: (1) Due to the illness from May 2013 and untimely death of the former
Connétable in July 2013, references to the Connétable ' change to
Connétable Le Maistre' from October 2013 onwards.
(2) Names have been redacted throughout these extracts in order to preserve the privacy of individuals.
18th October 2012
(e) Parking – Grouville School
Grouville Roads Committee Member (GRCM) was extremely disappointed to note that the requested meeting between the School and the Parish had not been arranged and that this matter needed the Connétable and Parish to be taking a lead in this the most serious of all current Parish Roads problems. However, he was pleased to note that he had been informed by TTS Officer that Education were hopeful that they could offer some form of help by moving the fence. The Committee noted that the Connétable was still actually hopeful of finding an alternative solution by finding a suitable field, to provide car parking on possibly 263A
Thursday 29th November 2012
(c) Parking – Grouville School
The Connétable was currently discussing a number of options ... However he had also spoken to [name redacted] the owner of Field 263A who was now prepared to accept that he could perhaps use part of the field for one dwelling and leave the remaining area as teachers' car parking, freeing up the track for parents as previously suggested. In looking at the proposed site, the Committee did not feel that this idea was practical due to its landlocked situation, but agreed to undertake a site visit with [name redacted] being invited to attend. (Tevielka) GRCM suggested that perhaps Tevielka car park owned by the States of Jersey could be utilised, however it was noted that this property was in fact owned by Les Amis Inc.
Tuesday 8th January 2013
Field Number 263A – [name redacted] – School Parking
The Committee met on site with Messrs [name redacted] and [name redacted] to discuss the offer from [name redacted] to cede over an area of his field number 263A to the States of Jersey to facilitate onsite teachers' parking, thereby freeing-up the drop-off, pick-up point which had previously been proposed to be used by parents collecting their children adjacent to the School playing-field. [name redacted]'s offer was made subject to receiving planning
consents to construct a new house in part of the field and an offer to residents ceding them additional land subject to them withdrawing their previous objections to his plan to develop the field. On viewing the site, the proposed area subject to the necessary consent would or could resolve the ongoing and escalating problems of School parking currently being experienced. It was agreed that as a priority, [name redacted] produce a site plan showing the various dimensions and areas he was proposing to cede, with the Connétable agreeing to take the proposals forward to both Education and Planning. It was also agreed that the plan detail the amount of parking that could be created and how it was being proposed to access the site, etc., etc.
The Connétable thanked both the gentlemen for attending the meeting and hoped that the plans could be drawn up as quickly as possible by [name redacted] on behalf of [name redacted].
Monday 25th February 2013
Grouville School – Parking – Field 263A
The Committee once again viewed [name redacted] Plans and agreed that the meeting with Transport and Technical Services Officers was an ideal opportunity to try and get them on board. The meeting noted that Head Teacher had been appraised of the proposals and she was happy with them. GRCM stated that Head Teacher would need to obtain the agreement of the teachers to ensure that the teachers parked in this new car park, feeling that the playground area could also be utilised as parking at the end of the day. The School would need to ensure that they policed the parking and the collection of children at the ends of the day. GRCM also thought that the Education department should be consulted at an early stage to try and get them on board.
Monday 25th February 2013 – MEETING WITH [2 TRANSPORT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT OFFICERS]
Grouville School
The Meeting viewed the plans for Field 263A, the proposed Grouville School parking.
GRCM asked whether Transport and Technical Services could assist to ensure that enough area be allocated for the parking and collection so that the track down the side of the School was properly utilised for a proper collection and drop-off area.
TTS officer confirmed that he had already spoken to the Head Teacher of Grouville School and although she supported the concept, she was concerned about children loose in the parking area.
GRCM felt that it was important that consideration be given to creating enough parking for the parents who want to stay and chat with other parents.
The Connétable confirmed that the Plans for the development were due to be submitted to Planning soon and the Minister for ESC was supportive of the proposals.
TTS Officer informed the meeting that the Island Plan indicated that the areas use was for educational purposes, so the developer would need to convince planning that there would be a betterment to the area.
Following discussion, the Committee agreed that there would be a significant improvement to the area, subject to consideration being given to the best way of utilising this land.
Thursday 21st March 2013
Field 263A – School Parking
The Meeting welcomed [name redacted], the Headmistress of Grouville School, Transport Awareness Officer from Transport and Technical Services and Transport Policy Manager of Transport and Technical Services to discuss the ongoing parking situation at Grouville School.
The Connétable outlined the proposal from [name redacted], who was willing to hand an area of land over to Grouville School, subject to Planning permission being granted for a proposed new house. The meeting went on to view the plans and it was agreed that there were various possibilities that were viable. The Roads Committee felt that the potential parking should be maximised, as this was a one-off opportunity.
Following discussion, the Roads Committee agreed that they hoped that the track could be widened, with the teachers parking elsewhere. Parking for parents could then be made available on the track and in a new car park.
Head Teacher responded that some of the parents start parking at 2.30 p.m. and she was concerned that the track, if widened, would fill up resulting in parents queuing up on the main road. The playground was used for P.E. up until 2.50 p.m., so GRCM suggested that the areas be swapped around so that one of the playground areas could be utilised as a shared playground/parking area.
All agreed that there were concerns about children and cars sharing an area.
TTS Officer confirmed that estimates had been received for widening the School track and they were in the region of £100,000. This work would result in the creation of 23 parking spaces.
Head Teacher thought that there was a possibility that the funding for this may have been ring-fenced, but she was unsure.
TTS Officer thought that funding could be available for the track from the fiscal stimulus plan. The surface was currently in a very bad condition and needed repair.
It was also hoped to take the cycle route through the track as well, though he wasn't sure that both of the proposed schemes would be approved. He was unaware that any funding had been ring-fenced for the project.
The meeting agreed that there probably wouldn't be another opportunity like this to resolve the situation.
GRCM stated that evidence was required to establish exactly how much space would be needed. He also queried whether the School would ever be extended.
Head Teacher stated that the School would be unable to accept any further pupils, with only a few spaces available in Year Five. There were currently 406 pupils. There was no space for extending or creating classrooms and all rooms at the School were fully utilised.
The Meeting agreed that this could be the ideal long-term solution.
Head Teacher confirmed that [name redacted] had been invited to a meeting at Education, which she was due to attend and she would be emailing ESC Officer to ask whether the Connétable could be invited to the meeting as well.
TTS Officer confirmed that he would also speak to ESC Planning officer.
The Roads Committee were adamant that they wanted to try and progress with all available options if possible.
GRCM asked whether there would be any possibility of establishing the relevant statistics.
TTS Officer confirmed that the Traffic Policy was not to accept an increase in cars. She had concerns about the removal of part of the play area, which would result in the children losing their right to play and in her opinion it was a bad example to be setting. She was also looking into other initiatives Island- wide. Grouville School currently had a 68% car usage, which was a high number. She would support any scheme that would support the transport strategy.
Although the Connétable appreciated TTS Officer comments, he felt that the reality was that the School was stuck with cars and they needed to be catered for. The Connétable , his Roads Committee and Honorary Police were all concerned about the current parking situation, which was thought to be extremely dangerous. The Connétable and Roads Committee had agreed that their priority was to keep children safe.
Going back to the statistics, GRCM queried whether the 68% of car usage related to siblings who travelled together with their parents.
It was confirmed that this related to the percentage of children, from a survey undertaken on one day. The other figures were –
- walked – 17%
- cycled – 1%
- car share – 9%.
Head Teacher requested that Transport and Technical Services consider undertaking further surveys, with GRCM asking whether all statistical information could be forwarded to the Parish Hall .
TTS Officer thought that a survey for the parents to complete could be useful, including the location of where the parents parked.
GRCM suggested that the Committee could also drive around and do their own survey on the number of cars parked.
After further discussion, it was agreed by all present to keep the momentum going with this issue. Head Teacher (and) TTS Officer and TTS Officer left the meeting at 4.40 p.m.
Thursday 16th May 2013
(a) Field 263A – School Parking
The Meeting noted that the Connétable and Parish Secretary had been due to attend a recent Meeting at Grouville School, but that it had actually been rearranged to take place at the Planning department, without the Connétable being notified.
Parish Secretary confirmed that he had recently attended a Meeting with the Connétable and the Project Manager for Education, Sport and Culture, but there was no real progress to report. The Meeting noted that another complaint about dangerous parking had been received this day at the Parish Hall and requested that letters be sent immediately to ESC Officer The Education Department, TTS Officer and Grouville School stating in the strongest terms the Roads Committees concerns that an accident was imminent. This letter would be sent on behalf of the Roads Committee, who met with the authority of the Connétable in his absence.
Wednesday 10th July 2013 – SITE MEETING The Meeting visited Field 263A.
The Meeting recalled that [name redacted] owned the field and was prepared to cede part of it to the Education Department on the proviso that planning permission be granted for one house. Assistant Minister TTS felt that this matter was very much in the hands of the Planning Department and [name redacted] would need to take the matter forward by making a formal planning application. It was established that there was now currently 500 children attending Grouville School, the teachers currently park on the track which had originally been intended for parents to park on.
The Committee felt that it was important to try and resolve this issue whilst there was an opportunity to do so. Assistant Minister TTS felt that there were 2 main issues, the first being the funding to move the playground and create the parking. It was also important that if this land was obtained, it would be used for resolving the parking issues and not for extending the School, if the
number of pupils were to increase following the development of the Potteries site in Gorey Village.
It was agreed that this matter is very much in [name redacted]'s hands, although the Parish had been very supportive of his proposals, which would continue in the future.
TTS Officer confirmed that he would request that TTS Officer write to the Parish with the details of how many parking places would be gained by widening the track and utilising it for chevron style parking.
Friday 12th July 2013
Grouville School – [name redacted] Field
It was agreed that the Administration should write to [name redacted] to enquire as to the progress of his planning application. Following further discussion the Committee agreed that [name redacted] should try and achieve assurance from Planning that they would look favourably on his application.
Friday 13th September 2013
The Track, Grouville School
The Meeting noted the contents of an e-mail dated 6th September 2013 from TTS Officer confirming that the recent bid for fiscal stimulus money to develop the track had failed. He was able to confirm that it was not forgotten and hoped to be able to secure funding from elsewhere, and TTS would then be happy to help deliver the project. The Committee were hopeful that the money could be found. GRCM suggested that [name redacted] might be able to assist, suggesting that it be an alternative for the "piece of artwork" that was suggested with developments. It was agreed that this could be suggested to planning when the formal plans were produced.
Thursday 24th October 2013
Grouville School – [name redacted] Field
Connétable Le Maistre stated that he wanted to push this matter forward. He had discovered that the Old Hospice building next door (now "Tevielka") was owned by the States and was for sale, but Health and Social Services had now decided that there may be a use for it and now it may not be for sale. Having noted the very high cost of creating a small amount of parking on the current school track, Connétable Le Maistre thought that there may be a possibility that parking might be able to be obtained from part of this property. Connétable Le Maistre felt that this whole issue needed to be discussed by the 3 parties as it seemed that no one was communicating with anyone else. A recent suggestion had been that [name redacted]'s field be used by the School as a sports area and funding was available for this, though Connétable Le Maistre hoped that a shared space could be created for play during the day and parking after school.
Wednesday 27th November 2013
(a) [name redacted]'s Field
Connétable Le Maistre informed the Meeting that he had recently met with ESC Officer, ESC Officer from Education, Sport and Culture and TTS Officer concerning this matter. Connétable Le Maistre was concerned that they seemed to want the entire field for sport and there were no practical suggestions on how to resolve the parking issues. Connétable Le Maistre had mentioned that the potential sale of Tevielka could also provide a solution, but they had felt that it would be too expensive. Connétable Le Maistre had also suggested that the track could be widened at the end lengthways, which could accommodate an extra 45 cars. Following discussion, it was agreed that the Parish should encourage the ceding of the field and also moving the fence back approximately 6 metres to accommodate 2 rows of cars. Connétable Le Maistre had also suggested an area which could be a playground during the day and a parking area in the afternoon. TTS and Education were not happy with this idea for a number of reasons, which Connétable Le Maistre did not feel were valid. GRCM felt that although TTS and Planning were not enthusiastic in taking this matter forward, at least the Parish were trying to resolve the parking issues.