HUNDREDS of Islanders and tourists who have flocked to a new sea bird sculpture on the north coast have turned it into Jersey’s newest landmark, but also created traffic problems, according to the local honorary force.
Two giant willow puffins were placed on the Plémont headland by the National Trust for Jersey to raise awareness of the Island’s tiny puffin colony, which numbers four breeding pairs compared to hundreds a century ago, and are threatened by invasive predators such as feral ferrets and rats.
But, the St Ouen honorary police have said parking problems at Plémont are worse than ever and could lead to emergency vehicles having access problems.
The situation had worsened this year, Centenier Richard Honeycombe said, as a result of people wanting to visit the new sculptures and reduced parking at nearby Grève de Lecq, leading some drivers to opt for ‘the next bay along’.
He said the popular north coast destination has attracted more visitors than usual so far this summer, and that attempts to engage with government to manage the issue had been unsuccessful.
National Trust for Jersey chief executive Charles Alluto said the organisation had been ‘slightly taken aback’ by the popularity of the puffins.
He said: ‘You sometimes see this with new attractions that have a huge following at first and then calm down, which I anticipate will happen here.
‘We did provide additional parking [for around 25 cars] at the time we acquired the headland, and believe there’s plenty of parking at the top at Plémont.’
Mr Honeycombe said the Easter weekend had been especially busy, with the issue likely to recur during weekends when the weather was fine.
He said: ‘We have put cones down to regulate it, but people move them, and double-park, and leave their cars in passing spaces.
‘The fear is that if there’s a major incident on the beach, or at the café, or at one of the properties, an ambulance or fire engine wouldn’t be able to get through.’
Mr Honeycombe said that he felt signage restricting access to the narrow road down to the bay was the answer and that he had attempted to contact the Growth, Housing and Environment Department, but received no response.
Mr Alluto said that the honorary police had been supportive of the trust at the time the sculptures were unveiled and subsequently, and that he hoped any problems would be highlighted.
He added that consideration would be given to providing cycle racks following feedback via social media that there was nowhere for cyclists to leave their bikes.
In a release sent out by the government press office, Infrastructure Minister Kevin Lewis said: ‘I received a request from the Constable of St Ouen to review parking control measures on La Route de Plémont – this work will be undertaken as soon as the transport team has capacity to do so, and officers will contact the parish to discuss options before engaging with important other stakeholders such as the café.’
