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4.15 Deputy G.C.L. Baudains of the Minister for Transport and Technical Services regarding the Jersey Electricity Company's cable project at Mount Bingham:
Is the Jersey Electricity Company nearing the end of its cable-laying at Mount Bingham and, if so, will the Minister for Transport and Technical Services advise how soon the road will be open, even if only for single-lane traffic?
Deputy K.C. Lewis (The Minister for Transport and Technical Services):
The J.E.C. (Jersey Electric Company) is due to complete the Mount Bingham section of the Normandie 3 installation by Monday, 14th October. T.T.S. and the parish are working together to allow South Hill to be used by west-bound traffic in the morning peak, and then revert to east- bound traffic during the rest of the day. An announcement in the media will be made this Wednesday, 9th October, once all the details have been arranged. This has been done to reduce the pressure of the tunnel during peak-travel times.
- Deputy G.C.L. Baudains:
Is the Minister for Transport and Technical Services aware that the duct-laying by the J.E.C. down South Hill and down Mount Bingham was completed, trench reinstated and road-markings repainted before Thursday, 2nd October, that is last Thursday, and the only barriers in place were at the very bottom? In fact it would be possible to run single-line traffic through quite easily. Why is that not being done?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
It is work that is ongoing, because there are so many utilities in the road there, and unfortunately J.E.C. have to come down the middle of the road, so it is necessary to reclose the road and continue with works.
- Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier of St. Saviour :
While the J.E.C. has taken a middle-route to this, indeed what you might call a fence-sitting route, would the Minister for Transport and Technical Services confirm Deputy Baudains' assertion that the road could now be opened?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
The works must be completed, but this has been brought forward due to the loss of the Normandie 1 cable. This has been brought forward by 12 months, and work is progressing well and at my insistence more gangs have been put on there to get the work finished as soon as possible, but there will be an announcement in the media regarding the openings.
- Deputy J.H. Young of St. Brelade :
I am puzzled by the Minister's answer. Is the Minister for Transport and Technical Services saying that the work was speeded-up and that the first opportunity to reopen South Hill has now been made or is he agreeing with Deputy Baudains that this work was finished some time ago and we could be using that road now?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
No. It was opened for a few hours, I believe, because there was a huge event going on at Fort Regent, but the J.E.C. has to cross the road at the bottom of Mount Bingham and that is where the disruption took place.
The Bailiff :
The Connétable of St. John ?
The Connétable of St. John :
My question was put by Deputy Young.
- Deputy G.C.L. Baudains:
A 2-part question. The Minister for Transport and Technical Services has said that the duct- laying is down the middle of the road. To most people I think that would mean that it is down the middle of the road. Would he confirm that it is the middle of the west-bound lane, which would leave the east-bound lane open? Secondly, would he advise us what the nature of the work yet to be done is, because at the present time it would be perfectly possible to drive even a heavy-goods vehicle through there? The only obstruction is some barriers on one side of the road, with no apparent work taking place.
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
Yes, work is ongoing. The proposed programme of works was agreed with the J.E.C. to enable the closure of Havre des Pas. However the contingency changes were moved. The J.E.C. will continue to work Havre des Pas working eastwards towards the Dyke roundabout under road- closure. However under T.T.S. direction, the J.E.C. have agreed that Havre des Pas will be open to traffic before 9.30 a.m. and after 3.00 p.m. allowing traffic to flow in the mornings and late afternoons Monday to Friday. It should be noted that when contractors' hours are shortened it does not mean the project takes longer. The J.E.C. programme of work continues on to Greve d'Azette and Green Road, however roads will be reopened during peak-times to minimise traffic disruption and all works should be completed by the spring. With regard to the Mount Bingham section, as Members know, the Parish of St. Helier is undertaking stabilisation work at Mount Bingham with T.T.S. assisting in the project's management. The stabilisation of the rock-face is continuing and the contractor is making good progress. A major part of the rock work is bolting a section of the rock that is over 1,000 tonnes in weight. To do this the rock-bolts need to be inserted in sequence, working from top to bottom, so as to minimise the risk to the men installing anchors at the ropes. The rock face should be stabilised enough to allow one lane of traffic to pass by mid-November, in about 6 weeks' time, but I reiterate that we will be using the South Hill section of the road, and that will be published in the media tomorrow.