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2024.07.16
2.5 Deputy C.D . Curtis of St. Helier Central of the Minister for Infrastructure regarding increasing the number of disabled parking bays in Jersey (OQ.140/2024)
Further to his recent comment that he would be "keen" to increase the number of disabled parking bays, will the Minister provide a timeline for this work to be achieved?
The Connétable of St. John (The Minister for Infrastructure):
I thank the Deputy not only for her question but also for her attending the recent public meeting that I held on the subject. I would like to report that while there may be localised parking pressures my department's survey work shows that overall there is capacity both on and off street throughout the week. However, that is not to say that the service cannot be improved. There are ongoing discussions with relevant authorities around opportunities for increased blue badge parking at specific locations in the centre of town. For the present this is policy under development but I am looking at Vine Street, New Street and Library Place. More widely my department is developing curbside parking policies, which will consider how valuable curbside parking should be allocated between competing demands, including blue badge parking and other activities essential to the vibrancy and the commercial success of town, such as unloading bays, taxi cabs, bus stops, short-stay pick-up and drop-off, and so on. This work will commence later this summer.
- Deputy C.D . Curtis :
Will the Minister prioritise more disabled parking spaces at the hospital entrances? Deputy T. Binet :
Yes, indeed, and the feedback at that meeting was the lack of spaces in and around the hospital, and I am pleased to say that members of the hospital team are already looking at how we can increase that, and members of my department are also looking. We will do that as soon as we possibly can.
- Deputy S.M. Ahier :
On the disabled parking, as the Minister knows from Broad Street, it was transferred to Dumaresq Street. Now that the Romerils development in Dumaresq Street has been approved, will he ensure that there will be no loss of disabled parking in that area?
The Connétable of St. John :
I will do my best to ensure there is no loss of disabled access. In and around the centre of town, we are looking to increase the amount of on-street parking for blue badge holders, not decrease it.
- Deputy M. Tadier :
Would the Minister state whether the plan to increase parking is based on current demand or future demand?
The Connétable of St. John :
It is based on the feedback we have had from current users of blue badges. In terms of demand, there are 5,200 users locally, which is 5.1 per cent of local residents. The U.K. (United Kingdom) average is 4.6 per cent, so we are very close to that average. It is also worth noting that people who have got a blue badge can park on streets or in car parks using a pay card, and they can park for double the length of time. There is plenty of parking available. It is the blue badge-specific spaces we are looking to increase.
- Deputy M. Tadier :
Could the Minister update us whether he thinks the balance between car park parking for a blue badge and on street is something that could be looked at?
The Connétable of St. John :
Yes, and following the meeting that I held, we are going to write to all of the holders of blue badges to explain some of the questions that were answered, some of the F.A.Q.s (frequently asked questions). For example, people who have a blue badge and who work in town, it is possible for them to get a day permit for short-stay car parks. Not many people are aware of that and we want to make that more widely known.
- Deputy C.D . Curtis :
I thank the Minister for his answers. Will the Minister allow blue badge holders to have access to Broad Street, for example, for collecting sedated patients from the dental practice?
The Connétable of St. John :
I am not sure what currently happens at the moment. I am sure that is a challenge for both able and non-able-bodied people so I need to take that away and come back to the Deputy .