Deputy Mike Higgins, who has lived on Route de St Aubin for 38 years, has called for traffic-calming measures to be introduced along ‘one of the busiest and most dangerous roads’ in the Island.
He wants to see four pedestrian crossings installed between the King George V homes and the St Helier parish boundary near Millbrook, as well as a reduction of the speed limit from 30 mph to 20 mph. The changes, he says, could cost between £80,000 and £200,000.
Deputy Higgins said there had been a number of accidents along the road and that it was very difficult for pedestrians to cross. If his proposals are approved by the States, the changes would come into force by the end of the year.
In his proposition, Deputy Higgins said: ‘St Aubin’s Inner Road is west of the Island into St Helier and back again in the evening, the other being Victoria Avenue. It also flows through a densely populated part of St Helier past a park, a very large primary school and homes for the elderly.
‘I have lived on St Aubin’s Inner Road for over 38 years and have experienced at first hand the high volume of traffic. Its increased use by commercial vehicles and the difficulty of crossing the road is felt by all pedestrians – able-bodied people, the disabled, the young and the elderly.
‘I have also witnessed the death of one elderly lady and spoken to another who was knocked down and injured on the pavement by a hit-and-run driver who mounted the kerb while reversing their van.’
Deputy Higgins added that pedestrians were ‘taking their lives in their hands’ by walking into the middle of the road and hoping oncoming traffic would slow for them.
The proposition is due to be debated on Tuesday 10 April.
