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2021.10.05
8 Deputy J.M. Maçon of St. Saviour of the Minister for Infrastructure regarding his
Department’s policy in respect of boulevards in the urban development area (OQ.198/2021):
Will the Minister explain his department’s policy with regards to the inclusion of boulevards in urban development areas and how, if this policy exists, it is in line with the States Assembly’s acknowledgement of a climate emergency?
Deputy J.M. Maçon: The Minister is muted, Sir.
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
Sorry, Sir, I am having technical problems. Okay, can you hear me now, Sir?
The Bailiff :
Yes. I think the technical problem is solved by pressing unmute, Minister.
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
Not in my case, Sir. There was somebody trying to get in, which I did not accept.
The Bailiff :
Very well.
Deputy K.C. Lewis (The Minister for Infrastructure):
Sorry, I will start again, Sir. Planning considerations for the new urban development areas are a matter for the Minister for the Environment, although my officers will provide specialist transport planning advice when required. In terms of my remit and the maintenance of the existing States main roads, my department seeks to increase urban greening where possible. Within the evidence base for the proposed bridging Island Plan is a St. Helier public realm and movement strategy which considers green infrastructure in the context of climate emergency and will be used to inform the design of future public realm improvement projects. Due to the geometric constraints there is generally not the space to widen existing roads to create boulevards.
4.8.1 Deputy J.M. Maçon:
I wonder if the Minister is aware that the Planning Committee had a recent application whereby the site had 2 roads, one which was governed by the Parish of St. Helier which permitted the boulevards and one which was governed by his department and the advice from his department was not to support the boulevards. Given the Minister’s answer that he has given to the Assembly in that the department seeks to increase the greenery within the urban area, I wonder if the Minister could explain the current position of the department and its advice which it gave to the Planning Committee.
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
As I say, the department approves of boulevards where appropriate and I would cite the Route du Port Elizabeth as a classic example of where boulevards would work but it must be appropriate to the area. I would also cite several areas where there have been problems that the Trading Estate Rue des Pres, the trees had to be removed because they were interfering with the substructure of the roads and also drainage, et cetera. They had to be removed and appropriate trees put in their place. This has to be taken road by road in its context. I do like green areas where appropriate.