MOTORISTS hoping for some half-term respite from rush-hour traffic have been out of luck this week, with roadworks in St Helier causing massive tailbacks and long delays.
Resurfacing work on the Esplanade between Grand Jersey Hotel & Spa and Gloucester Street began at the weekend and is due to finish on Sunday.
Hundreds of drivers have been affected, with those travelling from the west of the Island along Victoria Avenue being particularly badly affected by the work.
Several reports indicated that it had taken up to an hour to cover the stretch between the kiosk at Bel Royal and Gloucester Street – a distance of 1.7 miles – during the Monday-morning peak.
Writing on social media, some Islanders said they had missed hospital appointments, while another driver who set off from St Aubin reported a journey time of 90 minutes to St Saviour’s Road, which was itself temporarily closed as a result of another roadworks project.
A statement from the Infrastructure and Environment Department acknowledged the frustration caused by delays, adding that “this essential resurfacing work is strategically scheduled during half-term to minimise overall disruption while carrying out vital replacement maintenance to our roadways”.
The department added: “The Esplanade between Gloucester Street and West Park is the busiest section of the whole Jersey road network.
“We have reconstructed this section of road over a period of four years to minimise the impact as far as we are able, as cost-effectively as we can, ensuring this key section of infrastructure remains safe and serviceable to support the Island’s economic and social activity.”
Delays were reported to be slightly reduced yesterday, as some commuters opted for alternative routes, set off earlier or worked from home.
Details of the Esplanade project on the government website show that this week’s work represents the fourth and final phase of a project that saw the same October half-term slot used for the first three phases in 2021, 2022 and 2023 respectively.
Both the Esplanade and Victoria Avenue remain open in both directions throughout the works, with a contraflow system in place to maintain two lanes in each direction.
Signed diversions are in place, including for those with appointments at the General Hospital. Drivers coming from the east are advised to use Castle Street to reach Patriotic Street Car Park, while those from the west should access the car park via Cheapside or Gloucester Street.
Bus passengers have also been affected by this week’s work at various locations, with a number of minor diversions and alterations to service spelled out on the LibertyBus website.
