JERSEY’S Constables have been criticised for ‘ignoring’ a States decision and failing to find any new lanes where pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders would have priority over vehicles.
Deputy Sam Mézec, as well as representatives from the Island’s cycling and horse-riding communities, spoke out after Comité des Connétables chair St Brelade Constable Mike Jackson said an approved States proposition from Deputy Rob Ward was ‘not thoroughly thought through’.
In July 2020, States Members approved Deputy Ward’s proposition, which called for the Constables to give walkers, horse riders and cyclists priority on certain roads.
Only essential journeys would be permitted in vehicles on the selected routes.
The proposition charged the Comité with identifying lanes, proposing legislative changes, devising new signage and undertaking a public-awareness campaign.
The lanes would be in addition to the existing Green Lanes, where the speed limit is set at 15mph and pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders have priority.
However, more than two and a half years later, no additional lanes have been designated.
Mr Jackson this week said the changes would be ‘very difficult to achieve while maintaining access to properties’.
‘People have to get home, family members have to visit and tradespeople have to have access,’ he continued.
‘I think the solution is to look at each lane on a case-by-case basis. The reality is that the principle of the proposition is right but, in practice, we have to work within the parameters of the law.’
Deputy Ward has said he will continue to fight for the adoption of his proposition, claiming that there ‘appears to be a complete misunderstanding of what it calls for’.
The apparent lack of action sparked a backlash on social media, with Deputy Mézec tweeting: ‘Another States decision unilaterally ignored. This time by the Comité des Connétables, rather than the government.’
Speaking to the JEP, he added: ‘The Comité appears to be ignoring it without coming back before the Assembly.
‘The fact of the matter is that the States Assembly is the sovereign decision-making body for the Island of Jersey and the bodies beneath it do not have the right to ignore democratic decisions.
‘We need better rules and procedures in place to hold these other bodies to account when they flagrantly ignore decisions, force them to come back before the Assembly and provide an opportunity to present the issues.’
In response, Mr Jackson said: ‘I think everyone is keen to make lanes safer but it has to be practical and it has to be policeable.’
Cycle4Jersey member Alistair Mitchell said the group ‘would be hugely disappointed if [the proposition] was shelved’.
‘Our understanding was that we were waiting on the law drafters,’ he said.
‘I think there has been a huge misunderstanding. It was democratically voted through and [if it is shelved] we would see it as a retrograde step against promoting safer routes to school, safer commuter routes and sustainable travel. It would be very disappointing.’
Cilla Perchard, the local representative for the British Horse Society, said she ‘absolutely’ agreed it would be a shame if the concept was abandoned.
‘We haven’t got many bridle paths here and we want to be off the main roads. Anything that would help provide quieter green lanes [is good],’ she added.
