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WQ.120/2025
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE
BY DEPUTY P.F.C. OZOUF OF ST. SAVIOUR
QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 10th MARCH 2025 ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 17th MARCH 2025
Question
"Will the Minister explain the current policy and process for setting speed limits on public roads, and to what extent, if any, parish input is sought or considered during this process?"
Answer
Current Speed Limit Setting Process
The Island Speed Limit Review Process was agreed with the Parishes as part of the 2016 Island Road Safety Action Plan'. The plan included a jointly agreed framework for how speed limits would be applied based on the character of the surrounding road environment (unless, for example, a known road safety issue required a different limit).
The process is comprehensive and uses the following broad stages:
• Stage 0 - Preliminary engagement with Parish Roads Committee: Briefing on process, preparation, and distribution of current speed limit information / maps.
• Stage 1 - Initial Speed Limit Review: Infrastructure & Environment (I&E) technical review of all parish roads against speed limit framework (below) and parish dialogue – this process can be heavily directed by the Parish Roads Committee in determining the draft speed limit changes, particularly in relation to the application of Green Lanes and village settings.
• Stage 2 - Public Consultation: The type and extent of public consultation is directed by the Parish and can include hard copy questionnaires at the parish hall, parish hall drop-in public briefings, a full parish assembly, or a public on-line consultation (via Gov.je). All consultation material and consultation result analysis is prepared by I&E.
• Stage 3 – Pre-Order Drafting Preparation: We review the location of needed sign poles, utility service records, signage schedules etc. and prepare a Ministerial Report and legislative drafting instructions.
• Stage 4 - Order Making
• Stage 5 (Parallel to Stage 4) – Site Implementation & Publicity: Signs are fabricated, new sign poles are put into location and signs bagged until the new speed limits come into force. Speed limit changes are advertised via social media and/or a media release. Honorary Police will initially attend new speed limit zones to further make the public aware of the speed limit changes. I&E can help with the installation of signs / poles on by-roads if requested.
DPIA – Data protection impact assessment DLO – Direct labour organisation
Speed Limits Policy
The Island Speed Limit Review Process was agreed with the Parishes as part of the 2016 Island Road Safety Action Plan'. The plan included a jointly agreed framework for how speed limits would be applied based on the character of the surrounding road environment (unless a known road safety issue required a different limit, etc.).
The policy is set out on gov.je as follows:
"The Comité des Connétable s has agreed a framework against which speed limits will be reviewed and standardised across the Island. We want Jersey's roads to be enjoyed by everyone.
Managing the speed of traffic helps other road users feel safer and encourages people to walk and cycle. This is especially important for those travelling to and from school.
Speed limits are set according to a framework that provides consistency across our Island. We are in the process of reviewing all speed limits across the Island against this framework."
Speed limit | Description |
40 miles per hour | The all-island maximum speed limit is 40mph, or 30mph for vehicles over 3.5T or towing a trailer |
30 miles per hour | All roads in the urban or built-up area should be subject to a 30mph speed limit, with extensions into rural areas where appropriate |
20 miles per hour | • Village centres, typically where people might be walking between a church, a Parish Hall , a shop or a pub, for example, should be 20mph • Tourist bays where pedestrian and cycle movements are likely to be high should be 20mph • Part-time 20mph zones may be signed around schools, at times when children are present |
15 miles per hour | Green Lanes have a 15mph speed limit. Motorised vehicles should give priority to pedestrians, cyclists, and horses at all times |
The policy is graphically communicated though the following images and text:
