Dozens of people have taken to social media to criticise the new granite feature that has appeared outside St Mary’s Church after Transport and Technical Services opened the road following its 12-week closure.
And former St Mary Deputy John Le Bailly has labelled the project ‘a nonsensical waste of taxpayers’ money’ at a time when the States are pushing austerity measures.
The traffic-calming measure – a circular area of raised road – was installed during the first phase of a £500,000 scheme designed to reduce the speed of motorists as they travel through the village. It has come complete with a bronze-plated centre piece designed by a local artist and granite cobbles which have been imported from France.
The money for the works has come from a scheme being introduced by the Transport Department to fund a road improvement project in one parish each year. The department has a budget of £500,000 every year until 2018.
Writing on social media, Islander Nina Driscoll asked: ‘Is it an art form, or a roundabout or just another accident hot spot?’
Amy Ware said: ‘Confusion or what? Is it a road, a pavement or a roundabout? It’s a waste of money.’
Mr Le Bailly, who unsuccessfully ran for Constable in last year’s election, questioned why so much was being spent on what he described as ‘just a crossing’.
‘People haven’t time to gaze down at a bronze plaque or some lovely granite in the middle of the road. I think it is a an absolute nonsense. If you put some benches in the middle it would make a
nice square to sit in,’ he said.
‘It is costing thousands at a time when the Island is trying to save money and pay for things like a new hospital and the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry.’
Efforts to improve safety for pedestrians walking through the parish have been ongoing for several years, and a reduction in the speed limit as well as a priority chicane in Rue des Buttes, which has now been removed, have been trialled.
St Mary Constable Juliette Gallichan, who is currently out of the Island on States business, said she had not seen the granite hump since the road reopened but had visited the site when it was almost complete.
‘I think it looks very much in keeping with its surroundings, notably the church and cemetery,’ she added.
Tristan Dodd, director of transport at TTS, said: ‘It is important not to judge the work until everything is in place. The idea is to present more of an obstacle to make people make eye contact with each other when they get to that junction.’
The next phase of work begins next Tuesday with a similar project in Verte Rue, outside St Mary’s School. The road will be closed and until Friday 29 May.
Love the manhole smack in the middle ffs!!!
Dave Wood
What a total waste of money!! X
Nicola Dervin
Wonderful well worth the wait and disruption .
Ian Pinel
Not really a road anymore is it. Idiots have caused a massive increase in traffic flow past a primary school by introducing the whole traffic calming rubbish. Idiots
Paul Watson
No yellow lines this could be dangerous
Amanda Cotillard
I don’t even know what that is supposed to be
Alex Bond
Money well spent as usual. They would have been better with a pedestrian crossing surely. A few white stripes and even traffic lights v hundreds of thousands of pounds!! Hope they used local granite….
Julie Nolan
What a dangerous waste of money!!!
Kayleigh Paine
Is an art form, or round about or just another accident hot spot ? The cross marks the SPOT. What a complete waste of money
Nina Driscoll
What on earth? Why?
Tony Esnouf
Shouldn’t laugh; my parish next up for ‘traffic enhancement’…
Colin Crowther
What a pointless waste of time and money. The Parish of St Mary should be embarrassed!!
Richard Noel
Haha what a joke!!!
Charlotte Pinel
