A NEW role “inside the tent” of government has left St Helier’s Constable optimistic that progress on the revitalisation of Jersey’s capital can be achieved over the next two years.
Town walking routes, a new parking strategy and the markets are among the areas where Simon Crowcroft is seeking to make headway this year, after the regeneration of town was included as one of the priorities in the government’s Common Strategic Policy, published earlier this month.
The Constable, first elected to his role in December 2001, said that by serving as assistant minister for Infrastructure and Economic Development, as well as being handed responsibility for urban renewal, he anticipated a more joined-up approach.
“My take on being inside the tent for the first time in 22 years is that it gives me the chance to harness government resources to bring about improvements to St Helier in a much more positive way than I could as a backbencher,” he said.
“There are things I’ve been campaigning for and complaining about for many years and now it’s my responsibility to deliver.
“I expect we’ll be able to work in a much more joined-up way and although we only have two years [before the next general election is scheduled] I’m optimistic we can make some significant progress.”
By the end of 2024, Mr Crowcroft said he expected it would be much easier to walk around the town centre without many of the “interruptions and obstacles” that made life difficult for pedestrians.
Parking was another key area on which the Constable admitted he had been critical of successive ministers.
“We need to make it much easier for those who need to drive to St Helier to park here,” he said.
Priorities for the parking strategy included paying attention to the needs of mobility-impaired drivers, addressing the current abuse of on-street parking bays, as well as solving difficulties experienced by drivers of delivery and service vehicles and improved cycle parking, he added.
Mr Crowcroft held a meeting with tenants from the central and fish markets recently and said he was listening to their concerns, which included some roof leakage and the need for better promotion of the fact that markets were now open on Thursday afternoons, having previously closed at 2pm.
The biggest potential challenge, he admitted, was funding for improvement work.
“The new government is keen to reduce spending, and I think there is a case for belt-tightening in some areas, but not for long-overdue projects that are essential for St Helier,” he said.
“Other parts of the Island have benefited, such as the recent acquisition of Grève de Lecq, so there has to be a willingness to invest in St Helier as well.
“I feel there’s more certainty over funding than there has been in the past, and I’m pleased that the Common Strategic Policy restates the commitment to revitalising the town.
“There are other ‘pots’ from which funding could be obtained, such as the Climate Emergency Fund for initiatives focused on walking and cycling.”
