A VISION for a “vibrant” Broad Street will be shared with businesses by the end of the year, the Infrastructure Minister has confirmed.
In a new report on the public realm, Constable Andy Jehan said the government’s focus would be on this area of town, which has been largely vehicle-free since the start of the Covid pandemic following a proposition by St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft.
Concerns have been raised that despite the street being a “pedestrian-priority” area for over three years, with through access for cyclists and controlled access for buses, that little has been done to improve the public realm.
Mr Jehan described Broad Street as an “important spine that links the Royal Square to the Parade and beyond”.
The Infrastructure report stated that: “With major developments on the horizon, we need [to consider] how the area can be reanimated to become a high-quality public realm link serving new local residents to the area, as well as sustaining the growing mix of cafés and specialist shops joining established businesses.”
Quoting the conclusions of a public workshop held last year into the future of Broad Street, the report emphasises the “desire for a vibrant and connected town that prioritises the needs and enjoyment of people, with an emphasis on healthy and sustainable modes of transportation” but it also acknowledged the importance of inclusivity and community involvement in the planning process, endorsing the value of wider public consultation.
In his introduction, Mr Jehan said: “Investment in our public realm and transport infrastructure is both necessary to ensure it is fit for purpose but also to provide a better built environment and as a catalyst for growing the economy.”
The report sets out a number of other projects in preparation which the government says will support business activity and vibrancy but also address what it calls “the blight of vehicle dominance in areas of high pedestrian use”.
Among the areas of town to be improved is the section of New Street which links the King Street crossing, at one end, with the Union Street junction at the other. Currently closed to most vehicles, it will be improved with new paving, planting and seating at the crossing by de Gruchy’s period frontage, according to the government.
“The works will retain existing levels of disabled parking provision, whilst improving pedestrian access, introducing new raised tables and a crossing point as well as enhancing the visual appeal of the street,” the report stated.
Acknowledging recent improvements carried out by the Parish of St Helier in Halkett Street – partly funded from the government’s public realm budget – Infrastructure will also be improving the Beresford Street pedestrian crossing to “provide increased cycling and pedestrian space in a more attractive setting that enhances the link between the Fish Market and Central Market, to provide a safer and more pleasant journey into the centre of town”.
Other focuses are improvements to “bridge the Ring Road” – the capacity of which was increased by roundabouts and additional traffic signals during the 1990s – and a scheme to improve westbound bus routes from the bus station by avoiding delays on the underpass.
In future, buses will be able to travel the full length of the Esplanade to join westbound traffic at the southern end of Gloucester Street, rather than having to negotiate the roundabout to enter Route de la Libération. Infrastructure say this will shorten the journey time to West Park by around two minutes at peak times.
