New pedestrian-priority route planned in St Helier

A new pedestrian-priority route is to be created in St Helier.

The government's Infrastructure and Environment (I&E) department said the continuous walkway would be created across the King Street and New Street junction.

Minister for Infrastructure Constable Andy Jehan said the previous traffic arrangements on New Street and New Cut would be changed for an initial 12-month trial period.

The main change would be the removal of access across Kind Street for buses and taxis, along with a minor alteration to permitted access times for commercial unloading, he said.

I&E said a recent traffic survey showed during core retail hours about 50% of vehicles using the route were taxis and 8% were buses.

Jehan said removing access to these vehicles would support pedestrian safety and reduce congestion.

Only pedal cycles and essential commercial deliveries between 20:00 GMT and 10:00 will be permitted to cross King Street via New Cut under the scheme.

New taxi rank locations were being sought in town, he said, but the rank at Library Place would remain.

Jehan said the number of blue badge car parking spaces would not be affected and a map of blue badge spaces across the island would soon be issued.

A more in-depth look at the work on New Street would be published shortly, he added.

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