Impact of changes to speed limits in St. Helier

2021.10.05

3 Deputy S.M. Ahier of St. Helier of the Minister for Infrastructure regarding the

impact of changes to speed limits in St. Helier (OQ.208/2021):

Given that the St. Helier Roads Committee has now passed the phase 2 speed limit review, how will the Minister analyse the effect of these changes on traffic flow and congestion prior to making any decision on whether to implement the changes permanently?

Deputy K.C. Lewis of St. Saviour (The Minister for Infrastructure):

As Minister for Infrastructure, I am responsible for setting speed limits and do this within a published policy framework agreed with the Parishes. The framework considers the characteristics of Jersey roads to set appropriate and consistent Island-wide speed limits that balances users varying needs. The framework provides for a review process to be undertaken in partnership with Parishes to ensure that local context is properly considered and community opinion is gauged. Prior to any recommendation being presented for my consideration the Parishes' proposals are subject to a technical review against policy framework by my department's road safety engineers who, working with the Parish, seek to resolve any inconsistencies in the proposals. No decision to amend speed limits will be made until that process has been complete.

1. Deputy S.M. Ahier :

Will the Minister ensure that he reads all of the consultation documents brought by the Parish of St. Helier on 22nd September before he makes his decision and that he considers each road separately rather than authorising all these radical changes en bloc, as have the Roads Committee?

Deputy K.C. Lewis :

Indeed, I can make that commitment. My team are very technically minded and they will go through every single road individually prior to a decision being made.

2. Connétable R.A. Buchanan of St. Ouen :

My question for the Deputy is: will he consider the opinions voiced in the surveys undertaken by the Parish of St. Helier which, on the face of it, seem to have been ignored in their final decision, when he makes his decision about which roads to change the speed limits on? I note from his comment that he said community opinion will be gauged. Could he just give us an assurance that that will be case?

Deputy K.C. Lewis :

Absolutely, it will all be taken in the round. My team do a lot of research on each road individually and there will be consultation with the local community regarding the appropriateness of any speed limits.

3. The Connétable of St. Ouen :

Just further assurance that the appropriateness of the speed limit in relation to the roads to which they be applied to will also be given serious consideration before any final decision is made.

Deputy K.C. Lewis : Absolutely.

4. Connétable J.E. Le Maistre of Grouville :

Does the Minister not think that the Parish of St. Helier should hold a Parish Assembly to ratify the decision of the St. Helier Roads Committee before he makes the decision to implement the changes?

Deputy K.C. Lewis :

I was of the opinion that it was all discussed at a Parish meeting to discuss the various St. Helier Roads Committee recommendations. But absolutely, the parishioners should turn up at the Parish Hall and, if necessary, take a vote on each individual road if that was their wish.

5. The Connétable of Grouville :

Does the Minister think that he should listen to Parish Assemblies in all Parishes if they propose speed limit changes?

Deputy K.C. Lewis :

Absolutely. I am committed to consulting with all Constables and all roads committees of all the Parishes on the Island.

6. Connétable A.S. Crowcroft of St. Helier :

Does the Minister agree with me that "20 is plenty" in residential areas of the built-up zone and that residents of St. Helier 's densely populated roads have the same right to the heightened road safety protection as Islanders living in, for example, St. Peter 's Village or St. Mary 's or St. Aubin?

Deputy K.C. Lewis :

As previously stated, the Technical Safety Committee and Infrastructure will go through every single road to determine that. If that is appropriate then that will be adopted.

The Connétable of St. Helier :

Could I ask the Minister to answer my first question before I pose a supplementary? Deputy K.C. Lewis :

I cannot do a blanket agreement on the whole of St. Helier for 20 miles an hour. As I say, every road will be taken on its merit.

The Connétable of St. Helier :

If I could restate the question for the Minister's benefit. I asked him: does he agree that "20 is plenty" in residential areas of the built-up zone, as has already been done in many Parishes?

Deputy K.C. Lewis :

I will repeat, every road will be taken on its merit. If 20 is appropriate then 20 it will be.

The Connétable of St. Helier :

Can I ask my supplementary now please? The Bailiff :

I think, Connétable , the answer given by the Minister is the answer he has given in the last 3 iterations and I think that must be treated as a supplementary.

The Connétable of St. Helier :

But that did not allow me to ask my supplementary because he was failing to answer my original question.

The Bailiff :

I think he answered it in the same way. But in the exercise of my discretion, I will allow a supplementary question in this regard as we are well within time for this question.

7. The Connétable of St. Helier :

Could the Minister confirm that the roads committee of the Parish is the highway authority in each case and not the Parish Assembly?

Deputy K.C. Lewis :

Indeed but obviously, as the Constable is aware, it is crucial to have the opinion of the residents of the various Parishes onboard.

8. Deputy S.M. Ahier :

Of the 674 submissions received by the Parish of St. Helier , 63 per cent of them did not support the speed limit changes. Will the Minister be backing the majority of Islanders who have made their opinions clear?

Deputy K.C. Lewis :

As I previously alluded to, every road will be taken on its merits. I cannot predetermine any speed limit of any particular area. Every reduction or even increase must be fully justified. My officers will go through every single road meticulously.