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2024.06.25
3.8 Deputy B.B. de S.DV.M. Porée of St. Helier South of the Minister for Infrastructure regarding the scheduling of roadworks (OQ.131/2024)
Further to the current roadworks to resurface Val Plaisant, and resultant traffic delays in the area, will the Minister advise why the resurfacing was scheduled for this particular time of the year and whether other dates were considered in relation of this work?
The Connétable of St. John (The Minister for Infrastructure):
I thank the Deputy for her question. The department recognises that roadworks cause disruption and delay to people’s daily lives and it goes to great lengths to co-ordinate between all the organisations such as utility companies and developers that wish to work on the roads, as well as organisations that wish to close roads for events. When planning resurfacing works these constraints have to be balanced among many other constraints against the length of time it takes to do projects, as well as the availability of the specialist contractor, as well as stakeholders that may be directly affected. The department does seek to maximise the available school holiday periods; however, the contractors can only be at one place at one time. The resurfacing works planned and completed for the majority of school holiday periods in 2024 was already done before Val Plaisant came into line. Mont Millais, for example, has to be done during school holidays and was done over the 2-week period at Easter. The urgent works at Val Plaisant required a 3-week programme and it was considered not to be suitable for a summer school holiday project due to the impact on the town traffic during the high summer tourist period. Members and the public can get information on resurfacing plans for the next 4 years on roadworks.gov.je.
- Deputy B.B. de S.DV.M. Porée :
I thank the Minister for his thorough answer; much appreciated. With that in mind, has the Minister been able to address some of the issues that directly impact on the heavy traffic congestions and, if not, why not?
The Connétable of St. John :
The team do their very best to give prior notice, not only by publishing things on the website to 4 years in advance but by publishing information in the media and also roadside signs. Inevitably when we do major works we do get problems. This summer holidays we are doing work on the Grande Route des Sablons so as not to impact on the school at Grouville with diversions; lots of things have to be taken into account. Traffic numbers dip slightly after the half-term because of exams and that is why that time was chosen.
- Connétable M.K. Jackson of St. Brelade :
I thank the Minister for his comprehensive answer and have had similar experiences in a previous life of having to deal with roadworks, which are never popular. In St. Brelade we have had the experience over the last week or 2 of roadworks which were duly completed and satisfactorily, but the traffic lights controlling the works remained for 2 days after the work was finished. Could the Minister please give Members the confidence that these jobs will be managed efficiently and minimise the disruption to the general public to the best of his ability?
The Connétable of St. John :
I apologise to my fellow Connétable if that was the case; I certainly was not aware of that. Every endeavour is made to finish works on time and clearly when works are finished it is important that the traffic signs are removed. I will look into that case and report directly back to the Constable.