THE government has postponed plans to close three recycling points in St Brelade at the end of next month following an adverse reaction from residents and pressure from parish deputies.
The decision to remove the recycling banks at Les Creux, Les Quennevais precinct and St Aubin from 31 December was flagged by St Brelade Constable Mike Jackson in his parish magazine column and has attracted widespread criticism.
One of the parish’s elected representatives, Deputy Montfort Tadier, lodged a proposition requiring the government to maintain the facilities until at least 30 June while a consultation is carried out.
But during Question Time in the States Assembly, Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan said he had listened to feedback and that no recycling points would close during the first six months of 2025.
Writing in the winter issue of La Baguette magazine, Mr Jackson said he had been told the move was a cost-cutting measure, with the Infrastructure and Environment Department believing there was little need for the recycling banks because St Brelade had a kerbside recycling scheme. Suggestions that the parish should pay for servicing the three recycling points would come at a “significant cost”, he said, adding that he was “nervous” about what might happen.
Deputy Tadier said all four St Brelade Deputies, as well as the Constable, had been contacted by parishioners pointing out that it was not practical for some items to be left for kerbside collection; some were said to have criticised the lack of consultation and lamented the extra traffic that would result from people making additional trips to La Collette.
In the report accompanying his proposition, Deputy Tadier described the facilities, particularly at Les Creux, as well-used. Some residents from other parishes also used them, he explained.
Deputy Tadier said: “The announcement was a shock to many in the parish (and beyond), many of whom only heard the news when they read the parish magazine.”
The issue was due to be debated during the final sitting of 2024, starting on 10 December, but this now appears unlikely given Mr Jehan’s later announcement in the States Assembly.
