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2020.05.12
8 Connétable A.S. Crowcroft of St. Helier of the Minister for Infrastructure
regarding cyclists and pedestrians using the promenade (OQ.126/2020)
Is the Minister aware of any increase in the number of cyclists and pedestrians using the promenade along Victoria Avenue and of any consequent increase in the risk of collisions between users of such public spaces and, if there has been such an increase, what solutions, if any, is he examining to allow walkers and cyclists to move about the Island safely while respecting the need for physical distancing?
Deputy K.C. Lewis (The Minister for Infrastructure):
According to the automatic cycle counter at First Tower there were over 50,000 cycle trips recorded last month, which is an all-time high for any April, which is excellent to see. We would encourage everyone to look out for one another as the promenade gets busier as we have to take responsibility for each other's safety, particularly at a time when there is significant pressure on the healthcare workers. We are following the advice of the medical officer for health for enabling our infrastructure to best support the public health requirements when it comes to the fight against coronavirus.
4.8.1 The Connétable of St. Helier :
I asked the Minister whether he feels it is enough to simply encourage people to look out for each other when there are so many more people, not only cyclists, but also pedestrians and joggers, using the promenade and is it not time for a fundamental rethink about the use of that space, which for most of the day is given over to the parking of cars?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
Yes, as I mentioned earlier, this is something that we are actively looking at, whether to increase the width possibly of the cycle lanes and pedestrian area. It may involve the loss of some car spaces on the Esplanade but that is something we are actively looking at.
The Connétable of St. Helier :
Can I ask another supplementary please? The Bailiff :
Generally the policy that I have operated up to now is that, if there are no other questions, then the supplementary is the supplementary and I do not generally allow a further supplementary, Connétable . If there had been other questions I would have brought a final supplementary back to you, but not in the circumstances.