“MASSIVE cultural change” is needed to reduce levels of air pollution in St Helier, according to the parish’s Roads Committee.
Following a presentation on the issue by a concerned parishioner at the Town Hall yesterday, committee members reflected on the impact of traffic congestion and what actions could be taken to make travelling through town better and healthier for pedestrians.
Brice Harris, who walks to-and-from work each day, told members that he experiences “excessive exposure to car fumes” due to having “no choice” but to walk in close proximity to so many exhaust pipes each day.
He claimed this is damaging his health, and called for more car-free green spaces and “more accurate” air pollution testing during peak times.
Mr Harris said the Island “is too reliant on cars”, which makes travelling by any other means “extremely unpleasant” for people and animals.
Committee member Mario Pirozzolo agreed the quality of air in St Helier “is appalling”, but said monitoring technology and increasing electric vehicle usage is gradually improving the issue.
An Air Quality Monitoring annual report in 2022 found that air pollution levels in some town spots exceeded an advised maximum revised by the World Health Organisation in 2021.
But committee member Kevin Proctor noted that “efforts are being made” – highlighting the 30 air pollution monitors installed last year by community initiative Breathe Jersey across all 12 parishes.
More trees in St Helier – for their noise absorbing and air cleaning abilities – were suggested as a possible solution by the Committee, as well as a closer look at “where cars don’t need to be” in town.
Members referenced the pedestrianisation of Broad Street as a positive example in this case.
Mr Harris’s report has been passed on to the Health Minister as well as the Infrastructure Minister for review.
