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2016.11.01
3.10 Deputy M. Tadier of the Chairman of the Comité des Connétable s regarding an Island-wide review of speed limits: [9698]
Is an Island-wide review of speed limits currently taking place, and if so, what methods are recommended for parishioners to submit suggestions to the review?
Connétable L. Norman of St. Clement (Chairman, Comité des Connétable s):
I should make it clear that the Comité des Connétable s is not undertaking an Island-wide review of speed limits. Constables have attended workshops arranged by the Minister for Infrastructure to discuss road safety at which speed limits, among other issues, have been discussed. Under the Road Traffic (Jersey) Law, it is the Minister for Infrastructure who specifies the speed limit on a road, but before making a change the Minister is required to consult with the Constable of the Parish involved. If parishioners have any comments or suggestions to make, whether on speed limits or other parochial matters, they are always welcome to contact the Constable at the Parish Hall , either in person, in writing, by letter or email, or by telephone - I think some of us still have fax machines, if people wish to use that - and should their request for changing a speed limit or parking arrangements or whatever be supported by a Parish, those suggestions will be referred to the Minister for Instructure for consideration.
- Deputy M. Tadier :
I am grateful to the Constable for the answer. We know that the Constables themselves are not conducting an Island-wide review, but I am still keen to know whether there is an Island-wide review of speed limits going on. It seemed to be that the Minister for Transport or D.f.I. (Department for Infrastructure) at the last occasion suggested there was. I presume there is also a strong working relationship between the Minister and the 12 Parishes, so I think it is simply a case of knowing, because of course we do, all of us, I think get enquiries about speed limits on certain roads which people think should or should not be reduced in terms of the speed limit as well as traffic-calming measures. It is just a way of finding out what is the best way to contribute to that review. It would be helpful to know if the review were going on, first of all, because I am sure some people might want to contact the Minister or the department directly; others may wish to contact either the Constables or the Roads Committee directly. I think the Constable has answered partially already, but if he could just clarify, to the best of his knowledge, whether he knows of any Island-wide review going on centrally which may impact on the work of the Parishes.
The Connétable of St. Clement :
I really cannot comment on an Island-wide review. If there is such a review, clearly that would be a matter for the Minister for Infrastructure and a question on that particular aspect of things should be directed to him. But I can assure the Deputy and Members that where parishioners do have an issue with speed limits in their own particular area, they do make their views known to the Parish, the Roads Committee and Honorary Police consider them and, if appropriate, we make representations to the Minister. The larger situation, I just remember before I became Constable in St. Clement , there was a big issue, a lot of people were very worried about the 40-mile-an-hour limit throughout the Parish. I remember a major Parish meeting was held, they unanimously wanted the speed limit reduced to 30, but after I became Constable I approached the then Minister for Transport and Technical Services and was able to convince him to reduce the speed limits for most of St. Clement to 30 miles an hour. So if people do have concerns, make contact with your Parish Hall . Your concerns will be listened to and, if appropriate, action will be taken.
- Deputy M. Tadier :
I just thank the Constable again. My concern is not so much the fact that people contact the Parish Hall , it is just a case of it has been suggested - and we have heard from the Minister himself - that there is an Island-wide review of speed limits going in. It is a case of when people are contacting the Parish, not being told, as I think may have happened in certain cases, that there is an Island-wide review going on and therefore it is not really something that the Parish can necessarily deal with straight away. It is a chicken and an egg in some ways, but just to thank the Constable for the questions and it may be something that needs to come back as another question in a different format in the future.
The Deputy Bailiff :
Do you wish to give an answer to that, Minister? The Connétable of St. Clement :
All I can say, if there is a major review of speed limits going to be carried out in the Island, I have no doubt that the Minister would wish to consult with the public in any event.