The official version of this document can be found via the PDF button.
The below content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost, therefore it should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments.
4.5 Deputy J.A. Martin of St. Helier of the Minister for Transport and Technical Services regarding the proposed access route into the building site of the new police station on the Green Street car park site:
Would the Minister for Transport and Technical Services inform the Assembly whether he has held discussions with Jersey Property Holdings regarding the proposed access route into the building site of the new police station on the Green Street car park site, and if the access will be off La Route Du Fort, what alternative route plan, if any, will be implemented in order to manage traffic in this key area while the building works take place?
Deputy K.C. Lewis (The Minister for Transport and Technical Services):
As with all street works and projects, it is for the developer to present traffic-management proposals for T.T.S. approval. This instance, there is also a specific planning condition on the police headquarters planning permit, which requires the approval of the Minister for Planning and Environment in relation to arrangements for a contract of parking, access and deliveries before the development can begin. This approval will be made in conjunction with officers of my department. Preliminary meetings have been held between Jersey Property Holdings and T.T.S. to discuss traffic constraints. Construction phasing and access details will now be developed by Jersey Property Holdings and the successful contractor. Jersey Property Holdings has started this process with the recent issuing of a prequalification questionnaire to the local industry, which requests responses about the site management and access. While some disruption is inevitable from any development of this scale, I can assure the Assembly that my department will ensure that satisfactory arrangements will be put in place in advance of the development taking place.
The Bailiff :
A supplementary, Deputy . Deputy J.A. Martin:
Sorry, I did not hear the Minister, whether he confirmed the actual access into the building site will be off La Route Du Fort. Have they come to this discussion yet?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
Not to my knowledge. These discussions are ongoing, I believe.
- Connétable P.J. Rondel of St. John :
Given the concern raised by many at the time of the debate of the new police station in Green Street, T.T.S. came up with plans for extending the car park on top of Snow Hill. Could the Minister inform us if this has now been shelved in relation to extending the car park in Green Street itself, or the Green Street car park?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
No. There will be another half level put on Green Street car park, and this has been put forward by Property Holdings.
The Bailiff :
But I think the question was about Snow Hill, Minister. The Connétable of St. John :
It was about Snow Hill, this reference.
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
I beg your pardon. No, that instruction was given to me by the States Assembly to bring forward plans, but that has to be progressed.
- Deputy T.M. Pitman of St. Helier :
Sorry, can the Minister just clarify so I can understand it, will additional parking be provided before the actual work starts on the police station itself, because that is going to be a key issue.
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
I am not sure at the moment. I am not the sponsoring Minister for this, but I believe the other level of car park will either be built prior to or simultaneously with. I am not sure of the exact detail.
- Deputy T.M. Pitman:
Can the Minister tell us when he will be able to answer that question? Deputy K.C. Lewis :
As I say, I am not building the new police station. I just oversee car parks, which Jersey Property Holdings are developing, so it would be better to ask them.
- Deputy M. Tadier of St. Brelade :
Is the Minister telling us that there is no dialogue been going on between himself and Jersey Property Holdings and is this another example of the silo-mentality which we so often hear about within the Council of Ministers?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
No, but plans are still being developed. The Bailiff :
Deputy Martin, a final question?
- Deputy J.A. Martin:
As the Minister is the Minister for Transport and Technical Services, I would like him to assure the House that before the building does take place ... he may not think it is his job, but it will fall on his head if we have a gridlock like we do at the moment, losing one major artery into town and out of town. Can he assure the House that he will let us know the plans, if it is not here, but by email or letter, the alternative access into town via La Route Du Fort?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
There have never been any plans to block off Route Du Fort, to my knowledge, but there will be an access road built. I would imagine there would be an access road built there so the car park cement can be poured from the south-side, but I do not have the exact details at the moment. As I say, plans are still being formulated.
- Deputy J.A. Martin:
A supplementary, Sir. I would just like the Minister to assure me that he will ... I am not really asking what is in his imagination. I would like to know that he will absolutely assure the House that we will know the alternative access, not an access route, if half of this road is blocked, what is the alternative plans from the Transport and Technical Services Department. to manage traffic?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
We have tried to minimise traffic disruption whenever possible. There will be disruption. We are building a police station there, so there will be times when services will be put in and access will need to be maintained, but Transport and Technical Services Department officers are working with all other departments to minimise any disruption.