PROPOSALS to lower speed limits on around 50 roads in the Island are a key part of creating a safe environment for vulnerable road users, according to the government.
Responding to a petition opposing the plans, ministers highlighted that in St Helier, there had been 35% fewer collisions since a 20mph limit was introduced in 2019, compared to 26% across the rest of the Island.
Under government proposals, Mont Mado Lane and North View in St John, as well as Rue Bechervaise, Rue à Georges, Rue ès Viberts and Rue du Douet in St Mary would be among those to be reduced from a 40mph limit to become 15mph green lanes.
Other roads would see their speed limits halved from 40mph to 20mph, including Rue du Sellier and Grand Clos in Trinity; Les Charrières de Bonne Nuit, Rue des Servais, Rue de l’Etocquet, Rue de la Ville Guyon and Melbourne Park in St John; and Rue des Ste Germains in St Lawrence.
A petition started by Bradley Bechelet has gained more than 1,700 signatures since it started on 20 June this year. Petitions that reach the 1,000-signature threshold receive a response from ministers.
In their response, the government argues that current speed limits can be ‘inconsistent’ and ‘incoherent’.
Ministers wrote: ‘Effective speed management is a key part of creating a road environment in which all road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders, etc feel welcome and safe.
‘Such measures support active travel in line with States’ policy, and just as importantly will provide a greater perception of safety and a more comfortable living environment for communities.’
They added that speed limits made the road network easier to understand for both tourists and local people – for example, making village settings easier to understand and navigate.
Finally, they wrote, speed limits had a role in making roads safer, particularly for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders, who make up 64.2% of all road-traffic accident casualties and 81.8% of those who are killed or seriously injured.
They added: ‘Studies have shown that if hit at an impact speed of 50kmh (31.1mph), a pedestrian has a 29% risk of fatality, this reduces to 13% at an impact speed of 40kmh (24.9mph) and further to 5% at 30kmh (18.6mph).
‘Speed reductions have also been shown to reduce cycling injury risk, with a study finding that 20mph roads have a 21% reduced chance of injury when compared with 30mph roads.’
The petition, along with a full response, is available to view at petitions.gov.je/petitions/200885 .
