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P.167/2020 The only primary vehicular access route to Overdale that should be taken forward for further analysis is via Westmount Road, and that this access option was properly explored in the technical analyses in support of P.123/2020
Dear Scrutiny Panel
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Our Hospital' Project for the first time. Islanders have been kept in the dark. There is virtually no information regarding the Project in the Public domain. We have no idea of what is to go into the Hospital. It appears a secret' project. There has been no Public consultation.
I am sure that most Islanders, reading the Proposition would, at first glance, be only too happy to approve p/167/2020, as, after all, there already is a two-way road up Westmount. This proposition gives the impression that this existing road would be the access to Overdale.
But a vote in favour of Westmount Road as the only primary route, with areas for active travel, would be a vote without knowledge of the full facts and without a definitive plan or map. This option will involve agreeing major alterations to the current road network but without any detail on which to base a decision.
The proposals will involve the destruction of much of the perimeter of People's Park, an area that States members have voted to preserve- -the triangular parking area to the south-east of the Park, and a wide strip from this point all along the Park, around the corner, and all the way up Westmount Road. The new road' to be some 12 metres in width. The proposed road would mean that the Bowls Club would be gone, together with part of the Children's playground, beautiful trees and the pergola walk' opposite the Westmount flats. People's Park, which so many have sought to preserve will be decimated They are also to blast the granite at Gallows Hill and to remove 3 modern houses opposite the proposed new entrance to Overdale.
When we walked up Westmount Road last week we discovered that there has so far been no geological survey of the area. Drilling and obtaining core' samples was being undertaken on Friday 8th January 2021.
Questions:
• How can the States be asked to approve a roadway when they have seen no detailed plan?
• Why would the States allow such unnecessary Environmental destruction of People's Park and the area all up Westmount Road, obliteration of historic areas, together with 3 brand new homes? This option does not, "Minimise the impact on homes, leisure facilities and the surroundings' as required by the proposition.
• How can the States be reassured that this route should be the only primary access route to be taken forward' before it is known whether such a roadway will be feasible? (no analysis of the bedrock has been made to date.)
• How can accurate costing be done?
• Why does Westmount Road need to be altered at all? The current road is perfectly adequate. I have
seen dustbin lorries, ambulances and buses manoeuvre the hairpin bend very successfully. We have also been reassured that Overdale is accessible by the largest construction vehicles on Jersey. For those wishing to walk or cycle the paths, steps and current road are fine. The 2015 iteration of a whole hospital at Overdale made the main access from Queens Road, with Westmount Road subject to no alteration. Why not stick to this plan?
• Why have the Government employed a Building Construction Company prior to knowing the site and size and contents of the new Hospital? How can this lead to the best value for Islanders when there will be no chance of going out to competitive tender?
Why have Warwick Farm and St Saviours Hospital not been costed?
Yours sincerely Andy Howell