“NEVER-ending” roadworks in St Helier are deterring people from driving to town and heaping more misery on already struggling businesses, industry leaders have warned.
Jersey Chamber of Commerce chief executive Murray Norton said it was “imperative” that customers had ease of access in and out of town, amid “challenging trading conditions” in St Helier.
However, the Infrastructure Minister has defended the “important works”, saying that his department always balanced “potential disruption” with the need to undertake repairs and other projects.
The government also clarified that some graphics and maps of ongoing roadworks on their website showed areas of scaffolding, most of which were not associated with the Infrastructure Department.
Mr Norton’s comments came after JPRestaurants director Dominic Jones described roadworks as “never ending”.
He warned that this could be damaging for traders and cause frustration for both residents and visitors.
He added: “I understand that they need to do these things but is there any co-ordination?
“Everyone acknowledges that town has fewer visitors and that people are spending less. To what extent are those planning roadworks thinking about that, because the impact on town is significant.
“A lot of people tell me they don’t like coming into town because of the traffic.”
Mr Norton said: “Getting road and utility services repaired along with areas of access for pedestrians is important, but in such challenging trading conditions in St Helier, it is imperative that customers have access to and exit from town with as much ease as possible.
“There will certainly be a co-ordinated approach within the [Infrastructure] department and I suspect some added unavoidable and unscheduled repaired have added to this work.”
He continued: “However, getting repairs delivered must be measured against the economic impact on businesses and delays for shoppers and commuters.
“The majority of retail, business and residents are in St Helier. One would hope that the departments of Economic Sustainability and Infrastructure discuss and plan this regularly to minimise the disruption to the economy.”
St Helier South Deputy David Warr – who owns the Cooper and Co coffee merchants – said he had not personally seen a decline in business, but added: “One thing I have noticed is that coming into work is becoming incredibly time consuming.”
Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan, in a statement provided to the JEP, said: “We always balance potential disruption with the need to carry out these important works to ensure Islanders have access to reliable infrastructure.
“The team carefully plan the lower-impact works for during term time, to allow the potentially more impactful works around schools to happen during school holidays.”
St Helier hasn’t been the only area to suffer, with a project by Jersey Electricity near Gorey Village now into its seventh week and causing issues for business and residents.
Contractors working on behalf of the utility company began the “essential improvement” works on 22 January, with a section of Mont du Gouray being closed and diversions in place.
Pat Clarke, of Rosedale Stores, said the issue was particularly affecting customers who drove to the shop from St Martin.
“It seems to have been going on forever, and it’s taking some people a lot longer to get here,” she said.
It is understood that Jersey Electricity anticipates the project will be completed before Easter.
